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 and a resin binder. 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.
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. Although this is entirely our own opinion, We've always thought Light Weight MDF, should be referred to as LDF (Low Density Fibreboard) or even Light Weight LDF to fit in with the other two MDF terminologies. We're presuming from a marketing point of view, it’s easier to visualise what is meant by Light Weight MDF, than Low Density Fibreboard. But it’s always made us smile as it seems to be a contradiction to say Light Weight and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) in referring to this single product.
Regarding Standard Grade 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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