The abbreviation MDF is constantly on everyone's lips. It can be heard when it comes to the production of furniture, finishing materials, doors and many other wood products.
Everyone knows that the material is actively used in many areas of production. However, not everyone understands what MDF is and how it is made.
What is this material? What does it consist of? What properties does it have? We will talk about all this in our article.
What is MDF
Under the combination of letters MDF means boards made from small sawdust. They are mixed with binders and can be pressed. The result is a straight sheet with a thickness of 3 mm to 6 cm.
Why does the material have this name? What is MDF?
Everything is quite simple. For the first time this product was made in the USA, where its name sounded like Medium Density Fibreboard. Translated into Russian, this means "fine wood-fiber shavings" (fine fraction of wood). As a result of writing the abbreviated American name in Russian letters, we got an abbreviation known to everyone. She took root as the main name of the chip product.
The material has earned great popularity in Russia, as it is very easy to process, does not dry out, does not form cracks and has excellent soundproofing properties. The abundance of positive qualities at a low cost attracts manufacturers. Today, flooring, thermal insulation materials, door panels, budget furniture and wall panels are made from plates.
MDF is an excellent substitute for natural wood. It is made from the waste of woodworking enterprises, thanks to which it has a fairly low price tag.
How MDF boards are made
The manufacturing technology of the chip sheets we are considering gives a clear answer to the question of what MDF is. In the production process, wood chips, shavings and sawdust are used. Raw materials are heated to high temperatures (about 100 degrees) and crushed wet. Thus, a fibrous thick mass is obtained.
Paraffin and resins, which act as the main binders, are added to the resulting mixture. Within a short period of time, the raw materials are dried, after which they are sent for tamping.
The thick mixture is rolled out in an even layer along the conveyor, the press is lowered and the material is heated to 230 degrees. Under the influence of pressure and high temperature, the products acquire the desired strength, hardness and evenness.
The cooled material is subjected to grinding, covered with protective compounds and cut into platesstandard options. Depending on the method of finishing the outside, all sheets are divided into three types of products:
- laminated;
- veneered;
- dyed.
Let's consider the characteristics of each of them.
Laminated MDF. What are its features
The front side of the laminated panels is covered with an ultra-thin PVC film. It is made in different shades and textures, which allows you to create an imitation of natural wood, stone, leather and other expensive materials on the surface of the plate.
Laminated MDF is obtained by hot pressing. The film is glued to the surface of the sheet and subjected to high pressure. Such processing contributes to the most durable adhesion of the finish to the base. Coated with a protective layer, the panel becomes resistant to light, moisture and even some chemicals.
Materials made from such sheets have an attractive appearance, high performance and affordable cost. A prime example of laminated particle board is laminate.
Veneered boards and their properties
The most expensive option for finishing MDF sheets is sticking a layer of veneer on its side. Since veneer is the thinnest cut of natural wood, the final product has a very attractive appearance.
Such materials do not dry out, are not afraidmoisture, do not swell. The high cost of the decorative layer does not allow the use of veneered boards in all spheres of life. This is, for the most part, furniture MDF. It is used to create door panels, cabinets, chests of drawers and other types of furniture. Products have a natural pattern and exactly repeat the texture of wood, thanks to which they acquire an expensive look.
Painted MDF
Coloring MDF is considered the fastest and cheapest way to protect the board from external influences. The application of paint and varnish coating can be carried out manually and with the help of special equipment.
Enamel and other fluid varieties of coloring compositions are used for coloring. Modern technologies make it possible to create mother-of-pearl, matte and glossy surfaces with paint.
The color of products is also unlimited. It is thanks to the coloring that brown, beige, orange and even white MDF are available to us today.
Such materials are considered the most resistant to moisture. Moreover, they have a minimum price tag. Use these options to make glossy kitchen furniture and wall panels.
Slab dimensions and possible product density options
Technical characteristics of MDF panels vary depending on the density and width of the sheet product. Today there are variants of three categories:
- First - thin sheet materials, 5 to 9 mm thick.
- Second - plates of medium thickness (from 10 to 18 mm).
- Third -thick-walled varieties, from 19 to 30 mm thick.
MDF wall panels of the first group have a length of 1300 to 2800 mm. The width of the sheet ranges from 153 to 2070 mm. Plates of medium and maximum thickness are characterized by increased lengths of 2620-2800 mm. At the same time, the width of the sheet is fixed - 2070 mm.
Minimum sheet density is 780kg/m3. The maximum value reaches 1100 kg/m3 and more.
Advantages of particle board
When purchasing any building material, you need to evaluate its pros and cons. MDF is not a perfect product, but it has a number of advantages.
First of all, it should be noted the simplicity of its processing. With the help of milling machines, the plates can be given the desired reliefs, thereby increasing their decorative qualities.
Also, the positive qualities of MDF include:
- High strength. The indicator of resistance of boards to mechanical stress is several times greater than that of other wood-fiber materials. Any fittings and fasteners are securely fixed on the panels, which allows them to be used to create a variety of interior items.
- Good moisture and steam resistance. MDF has a much higher resistance to a humid microclimate than, for example, chipboard.
- Environmental safety. The formaldehyde content of the panels is so minimal that they are not capable of negatively impacting the environment.
- High decorative qualities. MDF materials are verydiverse, have a huge number of colors. This allows you to make from them both modest and monophonic products, as well as bright objects of saturated colors.
- Affordable cost. MDF products are several times cheaper than similar wood options.
The presence of a decorative layer also has a positive effect on the properties of MDF. The protective coating prevents the formation of mold, fungi, and prevents the settlement of microorganisms in the material.
Are there disadvantages to MDF panels?
If we talk about the negative properties of wood chip products, they are very relative. For example, the material does not like moisture, but is able to withstand its effects much longer than, say, chipboard or wood.
Also, the disadvantages include easy flammability, but this property is inherent in all products made of wood.
The only thing to consider is that under heavy physical exertion, the MDF panel may fail. It will no longer be repairable. In such a situation, the damaged element will have to be completely replaced. However, this fact is fully compensated by the low cost of these products.
The use of MDF in the furniture industry
The use of MDF boards today is more than extensive. However, the material is especially popular with manufacturers of cabinet furniture. Such products are very beautiful, diverse and affordable.
MDF furniture isAn excellent option for those who want to economically update the interior of their home or work space. Most often, cabinets, bedside tables, chests of drawers, shelving and entire sets are made from chipboard. Painted options are actively used in the process of assembling kitchen furniture.
Often plates are used as the basis of beds, soft sofas and armchairs. Laminate or veneer options can be found even on expensive household items.
Construction industry applications
In the process of construction of buildings, MDF is actively used as an analogue of natural wood. Beams are made from slabs, partitions are equipped and ceilings are created.
It is also possible to use the material for the following purposes:
- when warming surfaces;
- in the manufacture of skirting boards;
- when assembling door frames;
- in the manufacture of stairs;
- for arranging window sills and railings.
Anyone can work with MDF. From a large sheet, you can easily cut out the desired fragment, make the desired pattern on it. In terms of ease of processing, MDF can be compared with drywall. That is why the material is very popular with both experienced and novice craftsmen.
Interior use
Wall panels are most actively used in the process of renovation of residential premises. They can sew up all vertical surfaces in the apartment.
Installation of elements of such cladding is quite simple. Each panelhas a ridge on one side and a groove on the other. Thanks to this fixation, the seams between the MDF strips are almost invisible.
For additional reliability, the elements can be fastened with furniture brackets or planted on an adhesive solution. Panels can decorate surfaces in the loggia, walls in the corridor, office, wardrobe.
Often wall MDF is used for zoning the space of large rooms. Panels can be positioned vertically and horizontally. On uneven walls, their installation is carried out on the frame. The base is assembled from wooden bars of the minimum section.
It is not recommended to use the material only for arranging flooring. For this purpose, the plates are considered too soft. Knowing what MDF is made of makes it clear that it is not worth using it in rooms with a harsh climate. Although the plates have a protective layer, but, like any tree, they are unstable to fluctuations in humidity and temperature.
Summing up
Concluding the topic of what MDF is, I would like to note that the material is quite practical and versatile, but its service life depends entirely on the correct operation.
Anyone can assemble furniture, finish housing from MDF, but you should remember that the work must be done correctly the first time. Wood chip products do not like repeated screwing of fasteners. In the old hole, the bolts are no longer so tight, the fixation is weakening.
Special attention neededpay attention to the choice of plates. Before buying, the material should be checked for delaminations, bubbles, chips. The edge of the slab must be even and strong. The presence of a "fringe" of sawdust is highly unacceptable. The use of low-quality raw materials significantly reduces the life of the final product. First-class products fully justify their value.
