Evaluating Particleboard Properties By Measuring Saw Cutting Force

A rapid technique was developed to obtain a cutting-force pattern of particleboard by measuring the torque developed in a circular saw when slope-sawing through board thickness. Seventeen particleboards of both commercial and laboratory origin were studied.The highest cutting force was developed by the high-density high-strength face layers, and the minimum cutting force was found in the center layer of the board. This cutting-force pattern is fundamentally related to the layer-strength at various positions through the board thickness. Good correlation was also found between this cutting force obtained at various depths of cut and mechanical properties such as modulus of rupture, internal bond, screw-holding strength, hardness, and surface strength of boards. However, this correlation was limited to boards made of same wood species. In general the shape of the cutting-force pattern reflects the board stratification (layer construction), while the magnitude of this pattern indicates the board’s mechanical properties. This new technique may have potential for development into a continuous and automatic means of monitoring board quality on the production line.

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