novel decorative particleboards by means of post-imprinted surface patterns

While high surface smoothness of particleboards is usually desired, boards with expressed surface topology can be seen as a more recent development. This research is about the development of 3D-imprinted surface patterns applied to both sides of single-layer particleboards. The imprintment was done as a post-treatment, meaning it was carried out as a final processing step during particleboard production. Commercial particleboard samples were imprinted using a hexagonal steel pattern under high pressure. Results show that because of the imprinting bending strength and stiffness were both reduced by 2/3 to 3/4 of the compared control values. Even with such severe reductions the imprintment process is seen as successful. A minimum of internal mechanical integrity remained making the new type of particleboard suitable for a number of design-related applications. With proper coating applications could be wall cladding, ceiling cladding, or decorative products. With the shown imprintment a new type of 3D-surface particleboard is introduced.