The Effect of Fiber Morphological Properties and Composition on Fiberboard Performance

Abstract

Although much is known about the properties of fiberboard and its constituents as a composite material, their dependency on morphological properties of the fibers within remains relatively unstudied. Regardless of the exact defibration method used on wood, a certain range of fiber aspect ratios are produced. The influence of aspect ratio distribution on fiberboard performance has been studied in conjunction with its dependence on hardwood/softwood content. Fiber samples with a range of hardwood content were imaged using a digital microscope and measured using image analysis. Thin fiberboard made from the sampled wood fiber was subjected to a variety of performance tests. Testing of fiberboard was done according to ASTM Standard D1037-12 (2020). No significant difference in flexural performance was found between the samples, with strain at break being the only exception. It is concluded that while longer, softwood fibers may have more favorable properties in standard applications of fiberboard, shorter, hardwood fibers have comparable mechanical properties when made into thin fiberboard while exhibiting significantly higher performance in internal bonding and water resistance.