Mastering 3 key physical properties will teach you how to scientifically select wood-based panels.

Three major physical properties of board

As people become more environmentally conscious, many people pay attention to environmental protection when purchasing wood-based panels, but often overlook the physical properties of the panels.

If the level of environmental friendliness determines the safety of customized furniture, then the physical properties of the boards determine its lifespan.

The importance of the physical properties of wood panels is self-evident. Therefore, today DianDian will introduce the three major physical properties of wood panels in detail so that everyone can make informed choices when purchasing wood panels.

01. Static bending strength 

When a board is subjected to force, it will bend to a certain extent; this phenomenon is called "static bending".

"Static bending strength" is the compressive strength that a board can withstand when it is bent under stress until it breaks. Simply put, it refers to "how much force is needed to break the board".

If the static bending strength index is low, the board is prone to deformation and cracking under stress, resulting in a short service life and significant safety hazards.

Huidian Oriented Strand Board (OSB) has a minimum static bending strength of 16 MPa and an average value of 20 MPa, which far exceeds the required value. It is not easily deformed under long-term load and has a long service life.

02. 2-hour water absorption thickness expansion rate

The 2-hour water absorption thickness expansion rate refers to the ratio of the thickness difference before and after water absorption to the thickness before immersion, measured after immersing a certain amount of sample in water for 2 hours according to the standard method. This parameter determines the moisture resistance of the board.

If the wood has low moisture resistance, it may cause furniture to deform, moving parts to fail to close, and load-bearing parts to have poor load-bearing capacity.

If used in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, the boards may even crack after a period of use.

In the manufacturing process, Huidian OSB uses formaldehyde-free MDI adhesive that is insoluble in water.

Meanwhile, during hot pressing, MDI adhesive reacts chemically with water molecules in the wood, preventing moisture from entering the wood and providing excellent moisture resistance, making it ideal for use in damp environments such as kitchens and bathrooms.

03. Nail holding power

The holding force of nails is one of the important standards for judging the quality of boards and can be used to check whether the connection between the boards is firm.

Boards with good nail-holding power hold nails firmly, preventing them from easily falling out; conversely, boards with poor holding power hold nails easily, making them prone to falling out.

Generally speaking, furniture cabinets made from boards with strong nail-holding power will be more sturdy and have a longer lifespan.

The strength of nail holding power depends on factors such as the wood species, density, moisture content, hardness, elasticity, grain direction, amount of glue applied, and manufacturing process of the board.

Huidian OSB has an internal directional structure with no joints, gaps, or cracks, resulting in good overall uniformity and extremely high internal bonding strength.

Therefore, it has a superior nail-holding ability that ordinary boards cannot match, whether in the center or at the edges. At the same time, it is easy to process, will not produce chipped teeth, and meets the requirements of sawing, sanding, drilling, nailing, and filing.

With these tips, you'll be able to become a little expert in choosing wood panels!