Are You Measuring Medium Density Fiberboard Moisture?

Manufacturing Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) demands precise moisture control for optimal product quality. The quality of fibers used in board creation is directly influenced by fiber moisture content and additional moisture resin in the process. This necessitates multiple process interruptions, resulting in wasted time, energy, and money. Medium density fiberboard moisture is an important factor to control in production as it dictates the quality and consistency of the final product.

Maintaining precise control of raw material fiber enhances resin addition and contributes to high-quality board properties. Effective moisture control in the forming line is crucial for preventing downtime caused by blown boards, a common issue associated with improper moisture content.

Moisture plays a crucial role in the production of MDF, as it directly affects the strength, durability, and surface quality of the board. Excessive steam build-up during the hot press process can lead to localized delamination, known as blows, and core separation in some cases. By controlling the moisture content throughout the manufacturing process, energy costs can also be minimized.

In the MDF production process, incoming wood species like pine, poplar, and fir are debarked, chipped, and screened before being washed and entering the Digester. Resin, wax, and sometimes urea are added to the softened fiber, which is then flash dried and conveyed pneumatically to a fiber bin. The fiber goes through a grader and is formed into a mat, which is consolidated at the forming pre-press. Finally, the mat enters the hot press, where it is transformed into a panel under high pressure and temperature.

Moisture measurements are typically taken at various stages of the production process, including the incoming green wood chips, refined fiber, and pre-formed mat. The installation location of moisture gauges may vary between plants due to different manufacturing processes.