3.3.1 Particleboard

Composition board has many names and definitions. Particleboard is a general term for a panel manufactured from lignocellulosic materials (usually wood), primarily in the form of discrete pieces or particles, as distinguished from fibers, combined with synthetic resin or other suitable binder. The particles are bonded together under heat and pressure in a hot press by a process in which the entire interparticle bond is created by the added binder; other materials may be added during manufacture to improve certain properties (ASTM D 1554). Classification of particleboard varies, depending on country. For example, Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5908 classifies particleboard into five categories on the basis of: 1) surface condition, 2) bending strength, 3) adhesive, 4) formaldehyde release amount, and 5) flame resistance. Fiberboard is a general term for a panel manufactured from lignocellulosic fiber. This chapter does not cover fiberboard.

Products made from comminuted woody materials in the shape of fiber, shavings, and particles can be made from woodworking waste, noncommercial or low-value wood, and agriculture waste. Bark, forest slash, and industrial waste can be included in the products. The manufacture of composition board is a conversion of previously unused natural resources to useful products. Thus, particleboard production is considered a technology for recycling woody cellulosic biomass resources for sustainable forestry.