Fibreboard

Fibreboard, also spelled fiberboard, is an engineered wood product made from wood fibers that are bonded together with a binder and formed into panels. The binding agents used include urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins, or in some formulations the lignin naturally present in wood. The production begins with defibrated wood fibers that are mixed with resin and wax, formed into a mat, and pressed under heat to create dense boards.

Common grades include softboard (low-density), medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and hardboard (high-density fibreboard). Softboard is lightweight and used for insulation and interior lining; MDF is widely used for furniture, cabinetry, and interior panels; hardboard is denser with a smooth surface suitable for painting or veneering.

Uses of fibreboard span construction and interior applications. It is used as underlayment and wall panels, in furniture and cabinetry, for flooring underlayment, packaging, and acoustic boards. Properties include relatively uniform thickness and a smooth surface, good screw-holding and machinability, but moisture sensitivity varies by grade. Hardboard offers greater rigidity and moisture resistance when protected from water exposure; moisture-resistant or fire-retardant formulations are available.

History and terminology: the development of hardboard and related fibreboards occurred in the early 20th century, with Masonite Corporation and William H. Mason playing pivotal roles; Masonite became a widely known brand name for hardboard. Over time, fibreboard products expanded into a broad range of interior and furniture applications.

Environmental considerations: fibreboard may emit formaldehyde from resins used in manufacture; low-emission and no-added-formaldehyde variants are available and subject to industry and regulatory standards.