Flake orientation effects on physical and mechanical properties of sweetgum flakeboard

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.