Chipboard - what is it and how is it deciphered?
Laminated chipboard is made from shavings and pressed sawdust, for which formaldehyde resins are used. Despite the use of formaldehyde, this material is environmentally friendly, which allows it to be used in the decoration of residential premises. In the production of such chipboards, modern production equipment is used, which ensures the durability, strength and environmental friendliness of such material.
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Chipboard lamination is performed on paper impregnated with melamine resin. Due to the presence of such lamination, this material can imitate the appearance of an expensive natural solid wood of various types of wood.
Classes of laminated particle board
Today, there are several classes of MDF, depending on the content of formaldehyde in it. Deciphering laminated chipboard, depending on its environmental class, is not particularly difficult.
- E1. It is the cleanest environmentally friendly material that contains a minimum of formaldehyde. It can be used for interior decoration and furniture making.
- E2. This variety is used to decorate utility rooms.
- E3. In accordance with modern standards and norms of GOST, class E3 laminated chipboard is prohibited to use inside residential buildings. The proportion of harmful formaldehyde resins can be up to 30%.
Depending on the facing, the slabs are usually divided into:
- Rough MDF, that is, without a decorative front coating.
- Veneered with a thin layer of natural wood.
- Laminated with paper and plastic.
Also on sale you can find standard, moisture resistant and fireproof chipboard. The moisture-resistant material has a corresponding treatment with a paraffin emulsion, which protects the wood fibers from swelling under the influence of moisture.
Note that moisture-resistant laminated chipboard has a high cost, therefore, it is not economically feasible to use it for the manufacture of furniture and decoration of rooms with natural moisture indicators.
The advantages and disadvantages of this material
The proliferation of wood-like materials is due to its excellent performance characteristics. If we talk about the advantages of using laminated chipboard, we can note the following:
- Excellent durability of MDF.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Attractive appearance.
- Affordable cost.
- Possibility of choosing laminated chipboard with different texture and appearance.
- Versatility of application.
Of the shortcomings, we single out only mediocre environmental friendliness in materials with class E2 and E3, as well as the need use in rooms with high humidity of the corresponding expensive moisture-resistant variety Chipboard.
Choosing laminated MDF for furniture
Today on sale you can find various options for laminated chipboard, which differ in their performance characteristics, board sizes and appearance. You can pick up standard slabs with a thickness of 10-38 millimeters and sheet sizes of 280 by 207 centimeters. Their processing and cutting is not difficult, which allows you to subsequently independently produce furniture and interior items from such a tree-like material.
Conclusion
Chipboard is an inexpensive, practical and versatile wood-like material with excellent performance characteristics. Subject to the correct choice, such plates will be distinguished by their durability, strength and environmental friendliness. Remember only that it is necessary to correctly choose the type of MDF used, depending on the humidity in the room.
