Looking for particle board vs osb? Which among these is better? Then you came to the right place.
Here in this article we will talk about the difference and comparison between particleboard and OSB (Oriented strand board).
Particleboard and OSB – materials differ significantly in their parameters, so that their areas of application are different, although in some cases they intersect. To understand what is best for particleboard or OSB, let’s compare them with the most important parameters.
What is the difference and what is common between OSB and EAF
For starters – a definition.
Particleboard Is a particleboard made of wood chips of arbitrary shape.
OSB – this is a wooden board, for the production of chips of a special shape which, before the board is formed, are oriented in certain directions. The board consists of three layers. In the outer layers, the chips are oriented in one direction in the plane of the board, and in the middle layer – perpendicular to the outer layers in the same plane.
The name of OSB is obtained by transcribing the name in English – oriented strand board (OSB). Along with them, the Russian language is used, and the appropriate abbreviation is Oriented-Stružhechnaya Plata (OSB).
Both compared materials are composites based on wood waste. They are made in the form of sheets or plates of different thickness and dimensions. In both cases, the boards are formed from wooden blades using formaldehyde resins. This basic similarity between them ends.
The main difference between OSB and DSP is obvious from the above definition. This is a special shape and orientation of the chips.
Assortment of materials
Particleboard is made of a thickness of 1 mm and more, with a step of 1 mm. The most commonly used plates are 10, 16 and 18 mm thick. These are furniture standards. The most popular sheet formats are 2750×1830, 1830×2440, 2800×2070 mm. But there are a lot of options, starting with 1800 in length and 1200 in width.
OSB has a thickness of 6 to 40 mm in 1 mm increments. The most common formats are 2500×1250 and 2400×1220 mm, although there may be different options. The minimum size defined by the standard is 1200 mm. In addition to the usual rectangular plates with a flat edge, plate plates have been produced that are suitable for use as leather. When joined, the profiled edges form a lock that aligns adjacent panels in the same plane.
According to their physical and technical parameters, each of the materials is divided into varieties or types.
Particleboard:
- Type P1 – for general use;
- Type P2 – for dry conditions indoors, including furniture.
OSB:
- OSB-1 – plates for unloading elements used in dry conditions;
- OSB-2 – plates for nasal parts for dry conditions;
- OSB-3 – boards for filled products in humid conditions;
- OSB-4 – for wet conditions under increased load.
In comparison, we will focus on the materials most commonly used, – particle board and OSB-P2 3 15 – 18 mm thick, relying on GOST data 10632-2014 (Particleboards) and GOST P 56309-2014 (wooden structures with shaving-oriented boards).
Which is stronger than Particle Board or OSB
The main strength parameters for wood composites are bending strength, elastic modulus (modulus) and retention strength of fasteners.
Since OSB consists of large shavings, which due to their orientation form a certain structure, higher strengths can be expected from these sheets. But, let’s turn to the technical conditions of GHOST.
Wooden tiles have the following parameters:
- bending strength – at least 11 MPa;
- modulus of elasticity – 1600 MPa;
- The specific retention strength of the screws is 35-55 N / mm.
Oriented board:
- bending strength along the structure of the outer layers: 18-20 MPa;
- strength in the transverse direction: 9-10 MPa;
- modulus of elasticity in longitudinal bending: 3500 MPa;
- modulus of elasticity in transverse bending: 1400 MPa;
- fastening strength of fasteners: 80-90 N / mm, and in some manufacturers – up to 112 N / mm.
OSB board is 1.5 to 3 times larger than mechanical plywood, although it is somewhat inferior to the external structure during loading.
Which material is more durable
The wear resistance of the compared materials is completely determined by the surface structure. Particleboard consists of small sawdust, which is quite easy to discolor under abrasive load. And since the outer layer has the highest density, the wear rate increases with time.
On the surface of oriented plywood, a large part of the surface is occupied by large chips with an intact wood structure. When the abrasion is almost undamaged and able to withstand heavy loads.
When choosing which is better to lay on the floor, plywood or OSB, the answer is in favor of OSB. However, it should be borne in mind that none of these materials are intended for use as facial, hair finishes, so their durability is not standardized, but is determined only from practice.
Which material is more resistant to moisture
In wet conditions, plywood loses strength very quickly, and when it is strongly wet, it completely collapses.
OSB-3, when tested for moisture resistance, is placed in water at room temperature, the bath is heated to 100 for 90 minutes at 0 C, stands for 2 hours, and then cooled to 20 0 C per hour . After drying, the sample shows a bending strength along the main axis of 7-8 MPa. That is, its strength was reduced by about 2.5 times, but the sample retained its integrity and part of its structural strength.
Fire safety
Both compared materials belong to the same flammability group – G4. In this group they are ranked according to all classification characteristics:
- relatively easy to ignite;
- continue to burn after removing the heating source;
- ignite with intense smoke formation;
- Flue gases have a high temperature (over 450 0 C), which leads to ignition or damage to surrounding structures;
- burns almost completely, destroying the sample.
The degree of fire hazard of the material is the same.
Environmental compatibility
A formaldehyde resin binder is used in the production of wood composites. These resins still emit volatile formaldehyde, which is harmful to health, after the end of the process. All composite materials of this type are divided into classes according to the intensity of formaldehyde emission. The lower the class, the safer the board, regardless of type.
All arguments about where there are more plots, and where there are fewer, which is better, particleboard or OSB in that regard, are interrupted around GOST numbers.
- When the formaldehyde content does not exceed 4 mg per 100 g of dry material – the plate belongs to class E0.5.
- With a content of 4 to 8 mg / 100 g, the material is of class E1.
- Up to 20 mg / 100 g – class E2.
These data are the same for both materials, so that the choice of the degree of environmental friendliness is reduced to the choice of the required emission class. Class E2 materials are not allowed in residential areas. Classes E1 and E0.5 are allowed for the production of furniture, the production of any structure and cladding in residential premises.
According to ecological compatibility, wooden lace and oriented strand do not differ from each other.
Productivity
In our case, productivity means ease of use. Let’s try to analyze this quality by an example of different actions.
Storage and transport
Stored and transported wooden boards the same. The only difference is the laminated steel plate. Requires careful handling, so as not to damage the decorative layer.
Cutting
These sheets are cut in the same way, with the same equipment and tools. When cutting with a hand-held jigsaw on OSB, large structures can appear due to the structure of the material. If you fine-tune the shape of the parts with a belt sander, OSB may require more work.
Drilling
When drilling holes in OSB, flakes can also appear, which are absent or almost absent on plywood. In some cases this is important and must be taken into account when working.
Fastening installation
In wood chipboard, self-tapping screws (sharp-ended screws) are included without prior drilling. It also enters the OSB, but it requires an effort that is close to the maximum power of the self-tapping screws. To mount the fasteners in OSB, it may be necessary to pre-drill.
When installing the head screws in the OSB, it is necessary to make a move. In EAF, it is not necessary in many cases – the head is installed due to the ductility of the material.
In terms of technology, a small advantage remains behind plywood.
Price issues
Compare the price per square meter of material of approximately equal thickness. The thickness of plywood 16 mm is 110 – 180 r / m 2 . OSB-3 15 mm thick – from 235 to 295 r / m 2 . With the correction for the difference in thickness, it can be concluded that OSB-3 is almost twice as expensive as P2 plywood. Compared to non-resistant OSB-2, the difference in price will be reduced to 1.5 times, but this material is not popular.
The best OSB and plywood applications
Areas of application of these materials are determined by their properties.
Plywood
The largest area of application of steel plates is the production of furniture. They are laminated or veneered, and pieces of furniture are made after turning. In construction, plywood is used as a structural material to create voluminous interior elements, to hide communications, to create any structures for which the use of board materials is natural. These sheets are framed by frame structures, which are used as a material for rough floors.
OSB
The volume of OSB is moving towards high humidity and high loads. It is suitable for the production of stairs and all loaded structures, for example ceiling beams or lags on the floor.
The main difference is moisture resistance. Therefore, OSB is used for cladding of the housing, as a solid base for soft roofing materials, for temporary or permanent closing of openings, for the production of formwork.
