Improving the Surface Quality of Particleboard By High-Temperature Pressing

The smoothness of conventional particleboard is generally adequate for products in which the surface of the particleboard is finished by applying wood veneers or plastic sheets. For applications requiring painting or grain, printing the surface is still too rough and absorbent, and usually must be filled, sanded, or overlaid with a film such as parchment. As a potential alternative to this, it was found that the surface could be greatly improved by re-pressing the board at very high temperatures (500 to 750?F) and pressures (50 to 400 psi) in a platen press, for a few seconds. Under these conditions, the wood in the surface layer became highly plasticized, and formed a smooth, non-absorbent skin.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member