Which of the following is manufactured from particles of wood or other ligno-cellulose materials, which are agglomerated, formed and pressed together using an organic binder together in the presence of heat, pressure or moisture?
🪵 Engineered Wood from Particles
Engineered wood products are created by binding together different forms of wood (fibers, particles, veneers, strands) with adhesives to create composite materials. The question describes a specific manufacturing process: taking small wood particles, mixing them with a binder, and pressing them into a sheet. This method is characteristic of one particular type of board.
📝 Detailed Analysis of the Options
(a) Blockboard
Blockboard is made of a core of solid softwood strips placed edge-to-edge, which is then sandwiched between veneers of hardwood. It uses solid strips, not small particles.
(c) Fibre board
Fibreboard (like MDF or HDF) is made by breaking down wood into its basic wood *fibers*, mixing them with wax and resin, and forming panels under high temperature and pressure. It uses fibers, which are much smaller than the particles used in particle board.
(d) Plywood
Plywood is made by gluing together thin sheets or *veneers* of wood, with the grain of each layer at a right angle to the one below it. It uses whole sheets, not particles.
(b) Particle board
This is the correct answer. The description perfectly matches the manufacturing process of particle board (also known as chipboard, covered by IS: 3129). It is made from particles of wood (timber chips) or other lignocellulosic materials (like sawdust or sawmill waste). These particles are dried, mixed with an organic binder (like phenol formaldehyde), spread into a mat, and then pressed together using a hydraulic press in the presence of heat and pressure to form a board. Trees like eucalyptus, babul, and rubber wood are commonly used.
📊 Comparison of Engineered Wood Boards
| Board Type | Core Material | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|
| Particle Board | Wood chips, sawdust, particles | Particles mixed with resin and pressed. |
| Plywood | Thin wood sheets (veneers) | Veneers glued in cross-laminated layers. |
| Fibreboard (MDF/HDF) | Wood fibers | Fibers mixed with wax/resin and pressed. |
| Blockboard | Solid wood strips | Strips glued edge-to-edge and faced with veneers. |
💡 Study Tips
- Particle = Chip: The key is in the name. Particle board is made from wood particles or chips.
- Plywood = Plies: Plywood is made from thin layers called plies or veneers.
- Fibreboard = Fibers: Fibreboard is made from the finest raw material: individual wood fibers.
- Blockboard = Blocks: Blockboard is made from solid blocks or strips of wood in its core.