Manufactured Boards

Question 1

How is MDF made?

Answer 1

Wood chips subjected to heat and pressure creating wood pulp
Wood pulp is mixed with synthetic resins
Heated and put under pressure
Sheet material formed

Question 2

How is chipboard made?

Answer 2

Wood particles are glued together under heat and pressure

Question 3

How is plywood made?

Answer 3

Layers of veneers are bonded together using glue

Veneers are bonded that grain direction on each sheet is 90° to sheet above and below

Question 4

How is blockboard made?

Answer 4

Strips of softwood (25mm wide) are positioned edge-to-edge
Strips are glued to each other
Each side covered with veneer

Question 5

Give 2 advantages of MDF

Answer 5

Smooth surface

No grain - no warping

Question 6

Give 2 disadvantages of MDF

Answer 6

Very heavy

When worked very fine fibres are produced - can cause irritation

Question 7

Give 2 advantages of chipboard

Answer 7

Rigid board

Smooth surface

Question 8

Give a disadvantage of chipboard

Answer 8

If wet, becomes waterlogged and breaks down

Question 9

Give 3 advantages of plywood

Answer 9

Very strong
Stable
Doesn’t warp

Question 10

Give a disadvantage of plywood

Answer 10

If wet, can delaminate

Question 11

Give an advantage of blockboard

Answer 11

Doesn’t warp

Question 12

Give a disadvantage of blockboard

Answer 12

If cut, edges will not match veneer