Particleboards’ destruction model in tensile strength perpendicular to sawn wood face

Particle boards (PB), as it is known, consist of chopped wood. Phenol-formaldehyde or other less toxic resins are used for consolidation of the particles. Numerous researchers studied the problem of the particle boards’ strength in correlation with their density, adhesive components, and other factors. Though the influence of the particle size composition and distribution when manufacturing particle boards at tensile strength perpendicular to the sawn wood face remains insufficiently investigated. The problem of forecasting comparative strength of PBs in correlation with the size distribution of the particles persists. The work provides a methodology for comparative assessment of PBs strength in tension perpendicular to the sawn wood face. PBs material is modeled as a set of particles in the form of ellipsoids. The strength of material is determined as the strength of the bond at the contact points of ellipsoids. The destruction model of PB, as well as the criterion for determining comparative strength of the particle boards depending on the particle size distribution are proposed. This model and the criterion are consistent with experimental data. Based on the results of the study it was concluded that the use of the low-grade wood for PBs manufacture is admissible. The strength deficiency of the low-grade wood can be compensated by the increase of the fine particles’ quality.