Hardboard: what is it? Composition, properties and application of the material

Hardboard: what is it? This product is classified as sheet building material made from different types of waste paper, wood and wood processing industry by hot pressing them with a variety of additives. In the broader concept - a fibreboard (MDF), but with certain physico-mechanical properties and qualities. The article discusses the characteristics of the material in more detail.

Hardboard: what is it? General concepts and methods of making material

A method of manufacturing fiberboard regulated GOST 4598-86. This technical term means a material, which included a variety of materials, including relatively soft. Hardboard - the name of the everyday and in this normative document is not mentioned. The front surface of the slabs, as a rule, smooth, may be coated with varnish, colored, lined with plastic or decorative film. The main difference of this material is fiberboard structure - namely hardness. Hardboard called only thick sheets, one side of which is decorative-face. Photo hardboard demonstrate its structure.

Such material significantly simplifies and speeds up the building construction work, and it is indispensable for the wall and ceiling space, deck flooring, interior partitions device. Practically, there is no alternative to hardboard for furniture, manufacturing of packaging. Its main advantages - a low cost, ease of cutting, processing and assembly.

Hardboard: what is it? material composition

To give specific material properties in the production process in the feedstock include appropriate components. The addition of essential substances helps to improve one or another figure. The composition fiberboard includes the following components:

• binders (synthetic and phenol-formaldehyde resins) allows to obtain a dense and strong structure;
• polymers (. pectolite, etc.) to improve strength and mechanical properties;

• hydrophobic substances (waxes, rosin, etc.) used to make the product moisture barrier and moisture repellent properties;
• antiseptic components improve biopersistence prevent mildew and rot;
• flame retardants impart a certain resistance to fire.

Technical documents allowed to be used only toxic resins. The content of binder in the material should not be more than 1.3% of the original mass.

Important!If you selected material has a strong chemical smell (a high content of formaldehyde resin), it is better to give up its use in dwellings.

Marking and quality

Stamps hardboard separated according to types of physical and mechanical characteristics. These qualities must be considered when choosing.

The difference can be seen immediately by external examination. The surface plates may or may not be coated, be smooth on one or both sides. There are products with a decorative layer only on one surface, while the reverse is corrugated structure. The smoothness of the material can be achieved by various methods: painting, varnishing, applying a film or plastic lamination.

The corrugated surface of the back side of the sheet material makes cheaper. It is ideal for bonding to the solid surface, as well as in cases where the decorative function does not matter.

No need to purchase more dense and, consequently, more expensive sheets of fiberboard, if they are only intended for roughing operations. On the contrary, if the material to be used for exterior decorative finishes, it is better to use a more solid and durable plate coated with the laminated film. Accordingly, such a hardboard sheet will be more expensive, but in this case it is justified.

Conventionally, all the diversity of hardboard can be divided into the following types:

• soft material "M";
• semi-solid material "NT" (PTs220 mark);
• solid material is "T" (brand Ts450, 400, 350, 300);
• superhard material "ST" (Mark STs500);
• sheets inked surface;
• sheets neoblagorozhennoy surface.

Characteristic density hardboard surface

Marking "M" refers to a soft canvas. The sheet has a density of from 100 to 500 kg / m³. Visually, the structure resembles a cork surface. It can be used for interior decoration works (walls, ceilings, floor) and partition device.

Marking "T" refers to solid hardboard. It has a density between 500-800 kg / m³ and its structure is visually similar to cardboard. The material has a certain moisture resistance, especially in combination with moisture resistant coatings and has a bending strength of the sheet. Hardboard may be used in the construction works, applied in the production of packaging, the manufacture of furniture and joinery.

Marking "ST" means extra hard fiberboard. It has a density of 800-1100 kg / m³, has a very strong structure and can be used in construction, furniture and other fields.

Since the material can be considered a type of fiberboard, the labeling and classification of their uniform. According to GOST 4598-86, products are distinguished by type of surface density and strength:

• "T" - solid sheet with untreated surface of the face;
• "TC" - solid sheet obverse layer of fine pulp;
• "T n" - solid colored front sheet surface;
• "T-SP '- solid sheet of finely divided wood raw material with colored facial surface;
• "T-V" - solid sheet with increased water resistance uncovered surface;
• "T-SV" - solid sheet of finely divided wood raw material with colored facial layer and enhanced resistance to moisture;
• "NT" - solid sheet of low density (or semisolid);
• "ST" - extra hard sheet of high density and strength with neoblagorozhennoy facing surface;

• "STS" - extra hard sheet of finely divided wood raw material increased strength and density of ennobled with a facing layer.

Melt wallboard sheets grades T, TA, TC and PMT according to their physico-mechanical characteristics refer to groups A and B, and divided by the surface quality on the I and Class II.

To process the surface of the paint applied hardboard, paints or films. Universal embodiment is white hardboard. It is most commonly used in the manufacture of the inner surfaces of furniture, cabinets, drawers, as well as in the manufacture of packaging.

Common characteristics of fibreboard marks are shown in the table below:

Characteristics of the material	M3	M2	M1	NT	CT	T, T-C T-P T-SP	T CB TV
Humidity%	—	—	—	—	—	5	3
Density Fibreboard, kg / m³	100-200	200-350	200-400	over 600	950-1000	800-1000	850-1000
Ultimate tensile strength, MPa	Undefined	0,32	0,3	0,3
Ultimate strength at bending, MPa	0,4	1,1	1,8	15	47	38-33	40
Daily thickness swell,%	Undefined	40	13	23-20	10

Resistance to moisture for different grades of fiber boards and divers. As seen from the table, fiberboard semisolid form (HT grade) when placed in water for a day swells by 40%. Material mark CT (extra hard) - withstands the same test with a swelling of 13%. The best performance in TV brands and T ST.

Using this property, they can be regarded as a moisture resistant hardboard in their group. Brand TV made, generally without the outer cover and is used for construction of partitions in the conditions of humidity and possible to manufacture furniture. Grade T-CB has the same field of application, but more aesthetically attractive because decorative front surface.

Important!Not all fibreboard can be used in high temperature environments, and humidity. When transporting the material to avoid contact with water.

laminated hardboard

hardboard surface can not only impart any color to it or apply diverse picture. Also is widely used decoration of plastic film material. Price per hardboard laminated sheet thus considerably higher, but this material has several advantages:

• increased mechanical strength (decorative layer protects against scratches and damage);
• practicality (laminated covering less contaminated, is easy to clean);
• durability (major manufacturers claim operating up to 20 years);
• aesthetic characteristics (wide choice of various colors and structures, lamination can mimic wood, stone, tile).

Depending on the quality of the coating and the manufacturer, to the laminated product prices may vary. The average cost is 950 rubles per sheet.

Size sheets of hardboard

The dimensions of the plates offered by the manufacturers, can be very diverse and have a length of 1.2-6 m and a width of 1-1.8 m. However, the products of this size are most often used for industrial purposes. Standard hardboard sheet size suitable for domestic use, or is 2140h1220 2750h1220 mm.

Available sizes of different types of hardboard (MDF):

Parameter	soft Brand	Semi-hard, hard and superhard brand
Length, cm	122, 160, 180, 250, 270, 300	214, 244, 274,5, 305, 335, 366
Width cm	120, 170	122, 152.5, 183, 214

Important!Pre-estimate the size of your purchased sheet and the method of transportation to the place of repair. Almost all building materials provide a cutting service of the material if it would be inconvenient to transport.

fiberboard sheet has dimensions and characteristics of which correspond to GOST 4598-86, 8904-81, and 19592-80. These regulations are old, but the act as amended.

Related article:

MDF: what is it? How to choose the building material
The history of occurrence. The main types of fiberboard and hardboard selection criteria. Areas of use. Advantages and disadvantages of the material.

The table shows the maximum allowable dimensions hardboard sheet according to GOST 4598-86:

View	Width, mm (max)	Length, mm (max)	Thickness (max)
soft brand	1220±5	5500±5	16±1
solid brand	2140±3	6100±3	6±3

If the cutting of sheets made-to-order, the permissible deviations from the standard sizes.

The thickness of the hardboard may range from 2.5 to 40 mm, it means that the sheet is relatively thin. This can be seen, and dignity, and as a disadvantage. In the sheet medium and low density thickness often it is 8, 12, 16 and 25 mm. They are good to use for the purpose of noise and heat insulation erected partitions, but they are not very suitable for interior decoration. Semisolid species have a plate thickness of 12, 8 and 6 mm. Superhard and hard grade of material produced with dimensions of 6, 4.5, 3.2 and 2.5 mm. These sheets are well-suited for walls, ceilings, floors.

Useful advice!When selecting products must take into account conditions of their application. Sometimes it is justified to use only water-resistant grades.

Price per sheet of hardboard, depending on the size

When buying sheets of hardboard should pay attention to the following points:

1. Standard-notch plate material often has a thickness of 3.2 or 2.5 mm. With other dimensions 1220h2140 mm such fiberboard has a high rate of 120 to 220 rub. per m²^.
2. Middling material often has large dimensions which may reach 2745h1700 mm.

The main hardboard manufacturer in Russia is company "masonite-Plus".

The following table shows the dimensions of a sheet of hardboard, the price per page and per square meter:

Title	Dimensions in mm	Price per sheet, rub.	Price per m², rub.
Fiberboard "T"	2745h1700h3,2	230	49
MDF "ST"	2440h1220h3,2	145	47
fibreboard packaging	2745h1220h3,2	165	48
fiberboard insulation	2750h1830h16	730	220
DVPO	2745h1700h3,2	350	75

Useful advice!Before buying check the plates carefully. Outside the first-class products should not have any holes, no chipping.

In conclusion we can say that the canvas - is a versatile material that can be used to furniture, finishing work, as a base material for low-cost interior doors. A variety of types of wood-fiber plates to meet all your construction needs.