Boring Tests of Particle Board

The use of particleboards for many purposes depends in part upon machining properties. The quality of machined holes for dowel joints in particleboard can be affected by tool rpm and feed speed. Both flat-pressed and extruded particle boards were machined for 3/8-inch dowels, and the resulting dowel joints evaluated for strength. A tool rpm of 2880 resulted in particleboard dowel joints having superior strength to those bored at the other speeds used in this study. A suitable rpm range for 3/8-inch diameter holes is considered to be 2400 to 3000 rpm. Feed rates to produce a boring chip thickness of 1/32-inch were most appropriate for particle boards. A 1/16-inch chip thickness was also acceptable. The feed rates may evidently be slightly higher for particle board than for solid wood. The consistent low strength of joints bored at feed rates to produce a 1/128-inch chip thickness was notable. Dowel joint strength in particle boards was found to be highest when the dowel axis was in a plane parallel to the direction of particle alignment. Particle board density was also directly related to dowel joint strength. Tests on boards of equal particle characteristics but available in different densities indicated that dowel strength was greater in the high-density boards. Veneered surfaces materially proved dowel joint strength in particleboards. Veneer provides improved strength properties at the panel surface in the area of greatest stress in the glue line. Dowel joints in veneered particle boards had strengths comparable to dowel joints in solid yellow-poplar lumber.

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