Reduction of Residual Stresses in Medium Density Fibreboard. Part 1. Taguchi Analysis

Abstract

Summary This paper demonstrates how the Taguchi method of experimental design can be utilised to investigate methods for relieving the residual stresses present in medium density fibreboard (MDF). Panels have been subjected to heat, moisture and pressure, and after equilibration to room conditions, the changes in residual stresses through various layers have been measured using the dissection method. The application of heat and/or moisture has reduced the magnitude of residual stresses while generally the application of pressure has no effect on these stresses. The subsequent paper in this series uses Taguchi analysis to investigate how other board properties such as thickness swell, internal bond strength, surface layer tensile modulus and surface layer tensile strength are affected by the different treatment methods.