Mdddf Essay, Research Paper

MDF is a intermediate product that combines the advantages and favourableproperties of hardboard and wood chipboard. It is manufactured from fibreslike hardboard, and its high internal bond strength is derived from an addedresin binder as used for the manufacturing of wood chipboard. MDF guaranteesthat the formality will stay the same eg, size colour, density and strength. MDF is the most rapidly growing manufactured wood product in the world, withdemand levels climbing between 10% and 15% every year. The prices are alsogoing up rising to record high levels, projected to increase an additional50% from current levels during the next five years. The Government legislation states that too have the area that you are workingin, well ventilated, and wear goggles and dust masks. (Taken from theoccupational health and safety act 1985 part 3 clause 21.) This governmentlegislation makes the work place safer. CSR Wood Panels over the past few years has decided to introduce ‘HazardWarning’ labels for MDF, which are attached to invoices, receipts and as wellas delivery packaging. On the labels it states that:’…combinations of processed wood, formaldehyde resin and wax. Exposureto wood dust and formaldehyde may cause irritation to eyes, respiratorysystem and skin, and may cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact(eg. asthma and dermatitis). In halation of wood dust and formaldehyde maycause cancer.’The idea behind this is that the labels are there to inform the communityof the dangers of MDF and this is done firstly by telling the customers andmanufactures of the MDF products about how the MDF particles can affect you. The major ingredients of MDF are :Wood > 85%Urea formaldehyde (UF) resin or melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) resin Paraffin wax Production :Ingredients are bound together under heat and pressure. This process curesthe resin but small amounts of the resin may be released from the finishedproduct, which is usually 0.025% free formaldehyde by weight. With modern technology Germany has set the standard of limiting the amount offree formaldehyde to 0.1ppm, this is tested under certain test conditions,usually know as E1 rating. The world has now accepted this standard, set bythe Germany’s and is what is worked towards, when the manufactures are makingthe MDF boards. One company in Vancouver, Canada ‘CanFibre’ has recently employed a new wayof making MDF. They have exploring different ways of making MDF as the rapid

depletion of forests is growing and with this, the price of wood has increasedover the years as governments bring in new regulations governing the forests. The new method employed is transforming 125,000 tons of waste fibre into over60 million cubic feet of wood annually, this is an important step towardsreducing the 360,000 tons of solid waste deposited in the US landfills eachday. One of the key factors in CanFibres proven technology is the elimination ofUrea Formaldehyde, a toxic resin, which most MDF manufactures use for itsquick curing properties. CanFibre’s method replaces UF with an environmentalfriendly phenolic resin while maintaining a curing time up to 50% faster thancompetitors. One of the cheapest ways to ‘keep safe’ is to buy a ‘dust mask,’ which onlycost about $2-$3 for a pack of 6, also another item to stop irritation to theeyes is ‘goggles’. Both these products are a cheap alternative to buying a$2,000 dust extraction system installed. The dust masks are made from asynthetic material which filters the air you breath in. ICI Adhesives, Deer Park have recently come up with a way of reducing theamount of formaldehyde emissions which are generally effected by using resinswith a reduced formaldehyde content. But usually by doing this, it reducesthe functionality of the resin as it weakens the adhesive. The newest resinhas been improved so that it reduces formaldehyde emissions by up to 80%. The CanFibre company, will reduce the waste in the landfills by recycling it,and at he same time not cutting down a single tree, which is very difficultfor a wood company that is leading the world. Also the new modified ofbonding MDF together with an environmental friendly resin will completelyeradicate the harmful dust particles that become airborne, this in turn willreduce the number of works who complain of irritation to eyes, infections inthe respiratory system and skin (eg. asthma and dermatitis). With this new method of producing MDF, we will different decrease and eveneliminate pollution/waste, but until it is available world wide we will stillhave to leave in the dark ages, where we have to watch what we breath in. BibliographyPrimary Sources;* CSR Wood Panels – Material Safety Data Sheet On CSR Masterwood* http://newswire.flexnet.com/month2/message/jan1995/c0264.htm – “Canadian company positioned to become the world leader in the production of the first ‘Green’ panel board.”Secondary Sources;* Search, Vol. 24, No. 2, March 1993, Page 39 – “Sticking with ICI.”* CSR Wood Panels – Hazard Warning Information on MDF. * Australian Woodworker July/August 1994, Page 20 – “Across the Teacher’s Bench – Man-Made Materials.” by Les Miller