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The dimensional stability of oriented strand boards (OSB) was evaluated in terms of the changes in their length, static bending strength, and modulus of elasticity. Outer layers of these boards were manufactured from particles other than strand chips. The boards were exposed to an air relative humidity of 30%, 65%, or 85%. Dimensional alterations were determined separately for absorption (from 65% to 85% RH) and desorption (from 65% to 30% RH) changes. Changes in the mechanical properties of the boards were evaluated after they underwent two cycles of the conditioning process and were compared with the baseline values. The study implied that relative changes in the mechanical properties and length increased when there was a reduction in the size of chips that formed the outer layers. A linear relationship was established between the relative changes in the board length determined for the axis that was more susceptible to deformation and the modulus of elasticity. These changes were inversely proportional to the value of the modulus of elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the possibility of producing low-density oriented strand boards (OSB) from industrial chips of Pinus sylvestris L. Statistical analysis was used to determine the lowest possible density of resulting OSBs meeting the requirements of EN standard 300 for type 3 boards. The analysis revealed that this type of board could be obtained with a density as low as 425 kg/m³, corresponding to a compression ratio of about 0.85 for pine wood. An important parameter was the quality of the pine chips, the dimensions of which should be as close as possible to the dimensions of standard wood strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of the number of cycles of the V313 test (EN 321 2002) on the mechanical properties of 15-mm-thick OSB/3 and OSB/4. The obtained results were compared with the properties of the boards exposed to external environmental conditions. The results of the study indicate that the tested boards were characterized with a 50% decrease in static bending strength and a 70% decrease in tensile strength perpendicular to the plane. However, both types of boards met the requirements of the standard (EN 300 2006) with respect to their modulus of rupture. The method of exposing boards to outdoor conditions has a substantial influence on the change of the physicomechanical properties of OSBs. In the boards used in this study, however, those changes occurred slower than those evoked by the V313 test, especially after an upright exposure. For these reasons, for that type of board storage, an equation was determined that can bring the property changes following the V313 test into an acceptable range to allow for the evaluation of the board properties. In the case of vertical exposure, from the second year forward, changes in the properties of the OSB/3 were similar to those presented by the boards demonstrated from the second cycle of the V313 test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]