Sandwich panel of veneer-overlaid low-density fiberboard

Low-density sandwich panels of veneer-overlaid fiberboards of 12 mm thickness for structural use were manufactured at densities of 0.3–0.5g/cm³ using an isocyanate compound resin adhesive and steam injection pressing method. The effects of board density, veneer thickness, and resin content on the fundamental properties of sandwich panels were examined, with the following results: (1) The dry moduli of rupture and elasticity in the parallel direction of sandwich panels with thicker veneers were superior. The dry moduli of rupture and elasticity in the parallel direction of sandwich panels with 2.0 mm thick veneer at densities of 0.4–0.5 g/cm³ were 40–60 MPa, and 5–8 GPa, which were two and four times as much as those of homogeneous fiberboards, respectively. (2) The higher-density panels exhibited tensile failure at the bottom veneer surface during static dry bending in a parallel direction, whereas lower-density panels experienced horizontal shear failure in the core. (3) The dimensional stability of sandwich panels had good dimensional stability, with negligible springback after accelerated weathering conditions. (4) The thermal insulation properties of sandwich panels were found to be much superior to other commercial structural wood composite panels.Part of this report was presented at the 47th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kouchi, April 1997