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Testing moisture resistance in particleboard

2/26/13       
Sean Member

We have a customer that wants us to use moisture resistant PB for cabinets. Our supplier has the moisture resistant PB but we want it tested by SGS to make sure it is.

I am not familar with how it is tested. How is the level of moisture resistance measure? For example density is measured as KG per cm3, so what is the unit of measure for water resistance and what type of tests establish this?

Also based on the unit of measure, what are the different levels of moisture resistance. For example at what level could a panel be described as HMR? (high moisture resistant)

Also any other information would be helpful such as any ANSI or EN standards that deal with moisture resistance in panels.

2/27/13       #2: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
David R Sochar Member

Website: http://www.acornwoodworks.com

Moisture resistance is a relative - subjective - term that is not measured or quantified by any accepted method. It is mostly a marketing term to add value to a different formulation of the product that fails in water at a slower rate than the 'normal' product.

As one engineer told me "Toilet paper can be called water resistant".

If the cabinets are to be subjected to an unusually high moisture environment, then alternate materials should be used. Consider those for exterior cabinets, marine use, etc.

2/27/13       #3: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Sean Member

That's interesting. So if our customer asks for some type of guarantee or warranty that the PB is "moisture resistant" I'm not sure how we're going to go about that if it can't even be measured by SGS. I presume moisture resistant PB would do better in a "boiling water" test than normal PB?

2/27/13       #4: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
David R Sochar Member

Website: http://www.acornwoodworks.com

Two things: You can ask your vendor to supply whatever documentation he has on 'moisture resistant' materials, but you won't get much.

And - your customer is fixating on this for some reason. You can try to find out what their bad experience in the past was and address that, or politely move on and let them find another maker.

Most likely they had a slow leak in a sink cabinet and the PB sagged and got nasty. Sell them a phenolic floor and sides and back for a sink cabinet, and fix their plumbing. What is wrong with plywood?

You do not want to guarantee any further than your supplier will guarantee. All he will do is document that the product is indeed labeled as 'moisture resistant' and nothing more.

I don't know who SGS is, and if they deal in finite metrics, fine. But who will pay them to determine objectively what is essentially a subjective phrase? Would they determine if blue or red is a better color? Sounds like a great gig if you can get it.

2/27/13       #5: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Sean Member

David,

Yeah SGS are an inspection/testing company.

Its defiantly difficult to guarantee the moisture resistant PB for a period of time if there is no test for it. If we guaranteed it as being moisture resistant for 10 years, what would that even mean and how would one prove it stopped being "moisture resistant".

Sounds like a difficult one, but our customer is insisting on tests/guarantee/warranty. Its around $300 to carry out the test with SGS, but as you said not sure what that would entail.

2/27/13       #6: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Sean Member

Ok, I found EN 318 might have something to do with it. Its a European standard that tests changes in dimensions due to moisture. I am not sure if there is an equivalent ANSI standard.

Anyway, this may be what I'm looking for.

3/5/13       #7: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Alan F.

Sean,
It looks like this may already be tested, we have used this for exterior trim and fascias

MEDEX Specs

3/31/13       #8: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Jan Oostland  Member

Website: http://www.maximasa.com

I have never seen Particle board that is truly moisture resistant. MR particleboard can stand up against an occasional splash better then regular. You can easily do your own test. Set a piece of 2" x 2" Regular Particle Board next to a same size piece of MR Particle board on edge in a dish of water. Fill the dish with like 1/8" of water and watch the results. The MR will swell up but at a much slower rate the first hour. After about 24 hours they might be swollen the same amount. Now you can probably decide if Particle Board is the right material for your project.

4/10/13       #9: Testing moisture resistance in part ...
Rich  Member

Website: http://www.hausmann.com

MR particle board is not that uncomon we use it when requested (Medex is one that we have used). We usualy get requests to use on countertops that have sinks. If you take a look on the particle board manufacture sites there will be the specs on each type of board (probably no need to have tested). Also the board usualy has a dye added during manufactur so you can identify the difference types (I think MR is green and fire rated is red).

Depending on the specs for the job you may need to use special glue. If you are using a PVA some manufactures have a catalist to make the glue moisture resistant.


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