Bending Strength in Reinforced Medium Density Fiberboard

Reinforcing the medium density fiberboard with metal and synthetic nets was the main object of the present study to enhance is mechanical properties. Sample boards were manufactured by routine processes. Two types of the reinforcements, steel metal and synthetic nets, were applied in both surfaces of the sample boards. The reinforcements were placed ¹/4 of the board thickness, adjacent to the surface layers. Urea formaldehyde resin was applied in the boards. However, a group of the metal reinforcements was embedded in epoxy resin prior to application in the boards. Bending strength of the boards were determined according to DIN EN 310 and the value of modulus of elasticity. Results revealed that the reinforcements affected the bending properties in the boards. The boards reinforced with the metal nets gained higher strengths than the synthetic ones. Application of the epoxy embedded reinforcements caused the boards to achieve the highest strengths than the others.