The market offers a wide variety of building materials. The choice is not easy. Fibreboard and chipboard are similar names, but completely different qualities and characteristics of materials determine different areas of their application.
Materials
Particleboard and fiberboard are made from wood fragments bonded together with a synthetic binder or formaldehyde resin. A deeper study of the composition will show the differences between chipboard and fiberboard.
Particleboard consists of wood shavings, which can be understood from the name, sawdust and formaldehyde resin, which acts as a binder. To increase the moisture resistance of chipboard, materials with a moisture-repellent coating are used. Such a coating increases the cost of chipboard.
Fibreboard (Fibreboard) is made up of cellulose fibers, wood dust, synthetic polymers, water and special additives.
The density of these slabs may vary. Differences between chipboard and fiberboard also relate to the contained additives introduced during their manufacture to provide certain characteristics. The fibreboard has a uniform averagedensity, which requires precise and complex processing, and also has damping properties. Types of fibreboard are distinguished by characteristics depending on the use. Fiberboards are highly moisture resistant, durable up to 30 years. They are economical, are one of the most affordable. Chipboard is classified according to the number of layers, according to the characteristics of the outer layer, water resistance, fire resistance and density. Fire safety and efficiency are the advantages of chipboard. What is the difference between fiberboard and chipboard - a photo of the materials in the context will easily make it clear.
Production
The production process also determines the difference between chipboard and fiberboard.
To create chipboard, raw materials are cleaned, calibrated and dried before resin is applied. The fibers are formed into a mat and pressed under heat to cure the resin. Once the resin hardens, the slab is cooled and cut to size and sanded. Chipboard thickness can reach 25mm
For fibreboard, the raw material is softened by steam under pressure. The material then passes through refiner plates, which break the material into small pieces, forming a fiber of uniform size. Resin is usually added as the fiber exits the refiner. This wood fiber mixture is dried, formed into a board and subjected to hot pressing. Fiberboard is much thinner than chipboard, from 2.5 to 12 mm.
Application
Wood composite panel is a type of building material that is widelyused as a raw material for the manufacture of furniture, shelving and non-load-bearing building structures. The two types of composite panels, chipboard and fiberboard, although often classified together, tend to be used in different situations. In general, medium density fiberboard is considered to be of better quality than chipboard.
The main scope of fiberboard is furniture production. Fiberboards have acoustic properties, so they can also be found in pianos or other instruments, music speakers. The smooth, flat, uniform surface of fibreboard makes it easy to finish, and more variety can be applied to this type of wood composite panel than to chipboard.
Particleboard is used in construction for laying floors, as well as in the manufacture of furniture as structural elements.
Particleboard is significantly less durable than fiberboard.
Disadvantages of chipboard and fiberboard
What distinguishes chipboard and fiberboard from MDF is easy to determine by considering their shortcomings. The main disadvantages of particle boards can be considered:
- toxicity of formaldehyde resins - released, they can be harmful to he alth:
- do not hold fasteners; during the service, chipboards are crushed and it is impossible to fix them during repairs;
- are subjected to deformation, which is due to such a property of the plates as friability;
- not moisture resistant - to increase the moisture resistance of chipboard laminated;
- become uneven over time due to peeling of the edges of the plates.
FromDisadvantages of fibreboard, the most important is non-environmental. Some harm to human he alth can be caused by resins in the composition of fiberboard. Therefore, this material has some limitations for children's furniture.
MDF
Due to these shortcomings, MDF boards can become an alternative to them. They are very smooth and have even edges when cut.
This means that layers of primer and a couple of coats of paint will look good, leaving an attractive finished surface unlike other composite wood products. MDF does not warp or swell in high humidity conditions and is used as a material for bathroom cabinets. Builders appreciate this material for heat and sound insulation qualities. Plus, it can be nailed, glued, screwed, stapled, or doweled, making it as versatile as a plank.
Knowing the main differences between chipboard and fiberboard and MDF, it is easier to make the right choice.
