Research was initiated to determine the effect of flake orientation on the
physical and mechanical properties of flakeboard. The panel fabrication tec
hniques investigated were single-layer panels with random and oriented flak
e distribution, three-layer, five-layer, and seven-layer panels. Single-lay
er oriented panels had panel directional property ratios of 11.8 and 12.9 f
or bending strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE). In the single-layer co
nstruction, the bending strength and MOE for the random panels were slightl
y less than that of the average for the two directions of the oriented pane
l. Compared to the random panels, multi-layer panels had higher bending pro
perties. Also, the MOE was influenced more than the bending strength by a c
hange in fabrication pattern. Internal bond was unaltered with the panel co
nstruction variability. Multi-layered panels did not have a decrease in dim
ensional change proper-ties as compared with random single-layer panels.