PARTICLEBOARD

construction material consisting of flakes, shavings, or splinters of wood glued together in the form of sheets. The particles are mixed with resin, water repellents, and mildew inhibitors, formed into mats, hot-pressed, trimmed to the appropriate size and shape, and finally sanded. Particleboard was developed in the 1940s, when suitable synthetic resins became available; it has made possible the use of residues from lumber production and logging. Particleboard is usually manufactured in thicknesses of 625 mm (0.21 inch) and in three grades of density. It may be covered with resin-impregnated paper, plastics, or other finishes.