Effect of Aging on The Mechanical Properties of Particleboard Decking

Southern pine particleboard, bonded with urea and phenolic-formaldehyde resins, manufactured for modular home decks was evaluated for the effect of weathering on its mechanical behavior. Aging reduced the static bending, internal bond, and hardness more for urea than for phenolic-bonded particleboard. The reduction in tension and compression strength in the plane of the board due to weathering was not as severe as observed for static bending properties. Load-carrying stiffness was also reduced by all weathering treatments. All weathered boards failed to meet the minimum requirement of concentrated-load capacity for this material.