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Medium Density Fibreboard, more commonly referred throughout the United Kingdom as just MDF, is an engineered wood product manufactured predominantly using softwood timber (virgin and recycled). Although some MDF sheets, (normally ones that are imported into the UK), have been known to contain hardwood timber fibres in the panel as well.
As far as we understand, all the UK manufacturers basically use the same process. Initially starting with the logs (unless it’s recycled timber obviously) , these are stripped of all their bark, sent through to a chipper machine which reduces the timber into small chips, the next stage involves a defibration machine which then reduces these chips into small fibres. These fibres are then combined with wax, a resin binder and an additive (Echochem) which is blended to provide flame retardant properties throughout the entire sheet board.. Then under high temperature and pressure the panel is manufactured into the sheet material we are all familiar with.
Although it seems to get lost by using the acronym MDF, Medium Density Fibreboard is obviously defined by density, although each manufacturer will have its own criteria for density in each of its own manufactured MDF panels, you can use the following as a rough guide.
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M.D.F (Light Weight ) 580/600 D
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M.D.F (Standard Grade) 630/680 D
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HDF (High Density Fibreboard) 680 D & above
I.E. 600 D = 600 kilogrammes per m³.
We also have to remember that MDF is only a generic term and doesn't actually apply to a single product. To actual specify a product correctly; you need to add which type of MDF you require. For example you could choose from the following : Standard Grade MDF, Light Weight MDF, Ultralite MDF, Zero Formaldehyde (ZF), Moisture Resistant MDF (MR), Fire Retardant MDF (FR), Exterior MDF, In the case of HDF, this does just apply to a "standard version" High Density Fibreboard currently.
Regarding Fire Retardant MDF, the following properties can be assigned to this MDF sheet material in relation to all United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland manufacturers.
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Unlike other surface flame retardant coatings, the flame retardant properties of FR MDF (Fire Retardant Medium Density Fibreboard) aren’t compromised when the panel is machined or sanded.
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Is manufactured and certified to FSC classification (Forest Stewardship Council). So you can be confident that the timber used in the manufacturer of the MDF panel comes from a well-managed, sustainable source. And the MDF sheet material can be traced from the forest to the end user. (Please note all companies involved in the handling of the Fire Retardant Grade sheet material, upto the end user must be FSC certified. Otherwise the chain is broken and traceability, FSC certification stops at the last company that is FSC certified.)
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Due to the manufacturing process, Fire Retardant Grade MDF is free from knots and other defects normally seen in plywood etc. And benefits from having a smooth hard surface which is ideal for general joinery / shopfitting applications. Excellent painting properties. And is used widely for veneering and laminating onto.
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Whilst European classifications to BS EN 13501-1 currently co-exist with traditional British Standards (BS 476 Parts 6 & 7) within Building Regulations. In the near future we presume the European standards will become mandatory. You should also never make the mistake in presuming that the standards are equivalent to one another. I.E. Euro Class 'C' is not the same as the old British standard - Class '1'. And obviously Euro Class 'B' does not normally equate to the old British standard - Class 'O'. However some manufacturers can offer Euro Class 'B' that also meets the BS 476 Class 'O' standard. But we always advised you to check, before placing your order that any sheet materials you are considering buying meet with the relevant regulations and you are completely satisfied that the product your choosing is fit for purpose.
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To comply with the European classification BS EN 13501-1, some of the considerations used to test the compliance of the sheet material would be, the rate of fire growth, lateral flame spread, total heat release and smoke production.
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