Surface absorption, surface roughness, and formaldehyde emission of Turkish medium density fiberboard

In this study, surface absorption, surface roughness, and formaldehyde emis sion of commercially manufactured medium density fiberboard from furnishes of oak (Querqus ithaburensis), beech (Fagus orientalis), pine (Pinus nigra) , and a mixture of these species were investigated. Surface absorption and surface roughness of the samples were determined based on the European Stan dard EN 382-1 (1) and by using a fine stylus profilometer, respectively. It was found that the specimens made from oak furnish had the least surface a bsorption value (179.07 mm) while panels made from mixed furnish were the l east absorbent. Surface roughness measurements based on three roughness par ameters (average roughness (R-a), mean peak-to-valley height (R-z), and max imum roughness (R-max)) supported the above findings as the panels made fro m oak furnish had the roughest surface. Results revealed that as roughness of the samples increased, surface absorption characteristics decreased. For maldehyde emission of the panels made from various species was also determi ned and species was not found to be a significant factor on formaldehyde em ission values of the panels.