Layer water absorption of medium density fiberboard and oriented strandboard

The water absorption of sectioned layers of medium density fiberboard and oriented strandboard was examined, using the layer-removal technique reported in our previous investigation (5). Water absorption of all sectioned layers was shown to increase with water exposure time. Water absorption increased even after thickness swell of individual layers had reached its maximum. Water absorption was positively correlated to layer density and to layer thickness swell. The layer-removal technique to measure water absorption and other layer properties is fast, safe, and is recommended as aroutine quality control method in composite board manufacture and as a research tool for product development.