- Abrasive MaterialAbrasive Material:A mineral substance coating on a sanding belt that abrades or sands the board by removing material.
- AdditiveAdditive:Any special material incorporated in a panel in the course of manufacture to impart special properties. The term includes preservative, water repellents and fire retardants, but not binders.
- AdhesiveAdhesive:A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. The term is used to cover the bonding of sheet material and is synonymous with glue. The terms “binder” and “resin” are commonly used for adhesives used in the manufacture of particleboard.
- BackerBacker:A non-decorative laminate used on the back of composite panel constructions to protect the substrate from changes in humidity and to balance the panel construction.
- Balanced ConstructionBalanced Construction:A composite panel construction that will not warp when subjected to uniformly distributed moisture changes.
- BlendingBlending:The application of binder and additives to wood particles in the manufacture of particleboard.
- BlowBlow:A localized delamination caused by steam pressure build-up during the hot pressing process. Steam may result from excessive moisture, excessive glue spread or high press temperatures.
- BowBow:The deviation flatwise from a straight line stretched parallel to the length of the panel.
- CaliperCaliper:An instrument for measuring diameters or thickness. Also used as the term describing board thickness.
- CaulCaul:A flat metal plate on which wood particles are formed into mats, conveyed and pressed.
- Caulless SystemCaulless System:A manufacturing process in which particle mats are formed and conveyed on moving flexible plastic sheets and then pressed directly between the press platens without the use of caul plates.
- Certification AgencyCertification Agency:An accredited independent testing agency that monitors the required testing and evaluation program to ensure conformance with applicable product standards.
- ChatterChatter:A wavy condition across the width of a panel caused by improper sanding. These markings are parallel to one another between 1/4 and 1/2 inch apart and perpendicular to the sander grit markings. Sometimes they can be felt but usually can be seen.
- Chip LoadChip Load:Bite per tooth, or the amount of material removed by each cutting tooth as it goes through the material being cut.
- Chip OutChip Out:Along the top or bottom face edges, the fines or flakes are removed or torn out of the surface.
- Climb CuttingClimb Cutting:Machining with the cutting tool rotating in the same direction that the material being cut is traveling.
- Concentrated Load CLConcentrated Load:A load applied to a single point on a shelf span or floor span.
- CoreCore:The center layer in a composition (multi-layered) board panel.
- Core SeparationCore Separation:Actual delamination of the core, normally at the center line, caused by steam pops or poor glue distribution and/or cure.
- Crowned BoardsCrowned Boards:When the center of the width of a sanded board is thicker than the two long edges of a sanded board.
- CupCup:Deviation flatwise from a straight line stretched across the width of the panel.
- DeflectionDeflection:Downward bending of a board between supports when a load is applied, such as with a shelf or floor panel. Usually measured in inches. It is greatest in the center of the span.
- DelaminationDelamination:An actual separation of the panel's face layer from the core or a laminate from a substrate.
- DensityDensity:The ratio of mass to volume which may be viewed as the weight of a panel, often expressed in pounds per cubic foot.
- Density ProfileDensity Profile:Variation of density of a panel from face to core.
- DepressionDepression:A defect in a finished panel that appears as a concave area on the surface.
- Dessicator Test (FTM 1-1983)Dessicator Test (FTM 1-1983):A common quality-control test performed by particleboard plants to monitor formaldehyde emissions from the panel product, also recognized as ASTM D 5582-94.
- Direction of GrainDirection of Grain:As applied to plastic laminates. A sanded grit pattern which can be seen on the laminate back and is usually parallel with a printed wood grain pattern.
- Dry Bulb TemperatureDry Bulb Temperature:The temperature of the air indicated by any type of thermometer not affected by the water vapor content or relative humidity of the air.
- Dry FaceDry Face:Condition when the outer face fines or flakes readily fall or flake off. Similar to paint flaking from a wood substrate.
- Dubbing Off the EndDubbing Off the End:A narrow, tapered condition on one end of a sanded panel. This taper can be detected visually.
- Dulling EffectDulling Effect:Incompatible solvents showing up as a dull spot on a finished panel.