The Effect of Short Periods of Simulated Weathering on the Impact Performance of Particleboard

Eight commercial particleboards and two commercial plywoods manufactured for structural application were fabricated into 4' X 4' panel-joist systems and subjected to simulated on-site environmental conditions. Impact properties were determined by British impact and ASTM tests. The British impact test lacked sensitivity to establish differences between types of particleboard. Most particleboards exhibited about half the puncture resistance of plywood of equal thickness. Oriented particleboard had the greatest puncture resistance of any particleboards tested. Weathering without the influence of heat generally increased puncture resistance. ASTM sandbag testing of floor systems indicated that plywood and oriented particleboard had the greatest resistance to initial visible failure. Thicker boards or boards composed of larger-sized particles also had greater resistance to initial visible failure. All test weathering conditions generally caused a loss of resistance to initial visible failure of floor sections. The effects of the test weathering conditions upon strength to total failure were slight. It does not appear that loss of strength on the construction site is a significant problem as far as its effect on impact strength is concerned.