SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARDS IN COLOMBO MARKET

Abstract

Attached

Thisstudywas conducted to find the quality of MDF panels available in Sri Lankan market. MDF samples were collected from different dealers who import MDF from different countries. These samples were tested for thickness swelling and mass increment in 24 hr immersionin water and 30 minutes immersion in boiling water. Moisturecontent at 103 DC oven dry condition and density were also evaluated. A field survey was also carried out among dealers and importersofMDF in the market to find the current status of the market. Thicknessswelling and mass increment are related to each other and wassignificantlydifferent with different dealers and with the country of imports.Samples collected from South African countries are good in resistance of water. South African MDF are up to the British Standards and density is higher than the other panels comparatively. Thereare several dealers who imports MDF from Malaysia, had showninferior qualities. It has indicated a single country is having severalqualities of their production. As found in the survey almost every type of furniture items are produced except furniture legs. Furnituremanufactures using MDF panels due to low labour cost incurredin manufacturing, easy handling and good finish. Therefore Sri Lankan MDF market comprise of high quality as well as inferior qualityMDF. Also the study further has revealed that Sri Lankan MDFmarketis money oriented and not quality oriented.