MDF is short for medium-density fiberboard. It is a wood-based material from the fiberboard category. The product was developed in the USA and has been widely used in Europe since the late 1980s.
MDF boards consist of pressed wood fibers, glue, and additives. During production, very finely defibrated wood chips are mixed with a binder and pressed into a board at elevated temperatures and high pressure. The composition consists of about 80 to 83% wood, 9 to 10.5% glue, 0.5 to 2.5% additives, and 6 to 8% water. Due to their high proportion of residual wood/waste wood, they can be described as a sustainable product.
Thicknesses usually range from 1.5 mm to 60 mm, with densities from 600 kg/m³ to 1000 kg/m³. The stability of an MDF board depends on its density. The higher the density and thickness, the more stable the MDF board. MDF boards have similar swelling and shrinking properties in all directions but have lower strength than solid wood. The edges of MDF boards are smooth and firm and can be processed without special edging.
Advantages and disadvantages of MDF boards
Advantages of an MDF board
- Robust, with high tensile and bending strength, very stable
- Additives in the glue or additional impregnations can make MDF fire-resistant, water-resistant, conductive, and resistant to biological attack
- The surface is easy to treat and easy to process
- The finely glued wood fibers create a very fine surface and ensure a homogeneous appearance. They can be easily decorated
Disadvantages of an MDF board
- MDF boards are very heavy due to their high density
- Boards without special treatment are not waterproof and absorb moisture
- Slight formaldehyde emissions can occur, but these are not harmful to health according to European standards
Production of MDF boards:
Various types of wood are used for MDF boards, including pine, spruce, and beech, as well as eucalyptus, birch, poplar, acacia, and many more. Urea-formaldehyde resins are mostly used as adhesives. These resins can be reinforced with melamine or phenol to improve the moisture resistance of the adhesive bond. If you want to know exactly: Here you can find a video for hobby carpenters on MDF board production. Additives are used for various reasons. Paraffin is used in the form of melt wax or paraffin emulsion to improve the swelling properties of the board. Colors can be used as full-body colors for decorative reasons, or the surface of the board can be refined with a film.
Use of MDF boards:
Raw boards are used in interior and roof construction. Coated fiberboards are used as backing boards for laminate flooring and in furniture for furniture and kitchen fronts, in shop fitting, and loudspeaker box construction. In addition to cabinets and cabinet systems, powder-coated MDF boards are used as tabletops and cover plates. They are also often used in high-quality loudspeaker boxes due to their high bending and tensile strength.
Since the wood-based panels are hygroscopic, they swell when exposed to moisture. However, MDF boards can be made resistant to moisture through a special coating. The waterproof MDF boards can then also be used in damp rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen. If treated, an MDF board can even be used outdoors. The impregnation against moisture and temperature fluctuations is particularly important here.
Disposal of MDF boards:
Due to the glue and other additives contained, an MDF board must under no circumstances be burned in your own grill and fireplace or in the open air, as this produces toxic flue gases. Furniture made of MDF is collected as normal bulky waste.
Proper care for MDF tables
With undamaged surfaces, the care of an MDF table is absolutely simple. Dust is removed with a duster or a slightly damp cloth. In most cases, it is sufficient to wipe the table top with a slightly damp cloth. You should make sure not to use too much water and to wipe dry with a soft, dry cloth after cleaning. Stains can be removed from MDF boards with a little dishwashing liquid on a cloth - moisten the cloth with a little lukewarm water and the dishwashing liquid and gently rub out the stain. Then wipe dry again. Under no circumstances should you use aggressive abrasive cleaners or hard brushes - this can damage the surface of the tables.
