Discover the popular science article by Tiam Mahmoudian!
Congratulations to Tiam Mahmoudian on her science outreach article titled « Dimensional Stability and Mechanical Performance of Exterior-Grade Particleboard and MDF Panels After Accelerated Aging »!
Can wood-based composite panels really be used outdoors, where rain, freezing temperatures, and moisture put their durability to the test? The study conducted by Tiam Mahmoudian, under the supervision of Professor Alain Cloutier and in collaboration with Rosilei Garcia and Aziz Laghdir, provides some answers by assessing the durability of three industrial panels intended for exterior applications: two particleboards and one medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The three types of panels were subjected to six accelerated aging cycles in accordance with ASTM D1037. Their dimensional stability and mechanical properties were then compared with those of unaged panels.
The results are particularly interesting. The single-layer particleboard, manufactured from fine particles, stood out as the best-performing material. After aging, it exhibited the lowest thickness swelling while retaining a significant portion of its strength and stiffness. The three-layer particleboard showed intermediate performance. In contrast, the MDF proved to be much more sensitive to moisture. It experienced significantly greater thickness swelling, along with a marked decrease in internal bond strength.
These results demonstrate that the composition and structure of the panels play a determining role in their performance under outdoor conditions. They therefore provide valuable guidance for selecting wood-based composite panels for applications where moisture resistance and durability are essential.
👉Discover the article here !
This initiative is supported by the CRMR science popularization grant, which encourages excellence and innovation aligned with its research priorities, while making science accessible to a broad audience.
Thank you to the COREPAN-Bois, the lead organization of this project, for its funding and support in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions with a low environmental footprint.
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