Each year, the International Wood Composites Symposium (formerly the Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium) at Washington State University brings together an informative and timely collection of ideas, issues, and technical discussions. The objective of the Symposium is to provide a forum for open discussion to uncover new opportunities for business improvement, research, and technology development. This Proceedings from the 2004 Symposium is a record of the program and an important part of this objective. The proceedings is available as a hardbound book or on CD-Rom, which can be purchased separately or as a set.

The 41st International Wood Composite Materials Symposium, formerly the Particleboard/ Composite Materials Symposium, was held March 26–28, 2007 and featured information on current topics in the manufacture of particleboard and other composite materials. This CD-Rom, produced by Washington State University, contains pdf versions of the final presentations and papers as submitted by each speaker.

Each year, the International Wood Composites Symposium (formerly the Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium) at Washington State University brings together an informative and timely collection of ideas, issues, and technical discussions. The objective of the Symposium is to provide a forum for open discussion to uncover new opportunities for business improvement, research, and technology development. This Proceedings from the 2004 Symposium is a record of the program and an important part of this objective. The proceedings is available as a hardbound book or on CD-Rom, which can be purchased separately or as a set.

This 400-page proceedings contains papers presented at the 8th International Woodfiber-Plastic Composites Conference held in 2005. The three keynote addresses in the opening plenary session include a discussion of the need to increase the speed of product innovation, an introduction to a new German database for natural fiber composites, and a review of the possibilities of class action suits related to service life predictions. Papers presented in the sessions on fundamental and applied subjects cover materials and processing, engineering properties, durability issues, new matrices, adhesion and the interface, additives, and nano-composites. Future research needs identified at the conference include a continuing need to better understand the durability of woodfiber-plastic composites, including thermal stability, moisture uptake, ultraviolet stability, and fatigue. In addition to the full papers from the main sessions, abstracts from the technical forum are included.

This 376-page proceedings contains papers presented at the 7th International Woodfiber-Plastic Composites Conference held in 2003. Both fundamental and applied aspects of the fiber-plastic composites field were covered. Papers presented in the fundamental sessions covered fiber-matrix adhesion, composite microstructure, natural fibers, bio-composites, nano-composites, and foaming. Concurrent applied sessions covered durability, standards development, performance considerations, and automotive applications. Keynote presenters spoke about natural and woodfiber composites in North America and Europe, the use of natural fiber composites in the automotive industry, and experience gained during the product development of engineered wood-plastic composites. In addition to the full papers from the main sessions, abstracts from the technical forum are included.

This proceedings contains papers presented at the 6th International Woodfiber-Plastic Composites Conference held in 2001. Both fundamental and applied aspects of the fiber-plastic composites field were covered. The materials sessions covered natural fiber materials, matrix effects, and fiber-polymer interactions and interphases. Concurrent sessions covered durability and processing issues. Keynote presentations covered the natural fiber composites in the U.S. automotive industry, the driving factors behind natural fiber use in the European automotive industry, and the U.S. woodfiber-plastic composites decking market. In addition to the full papers from the main sessions, abstracts from the technical forum are included.

The papers in this publication, edited by Todd F. Shupe, are based upon presentations given at the Particleboard, Fiberboard, and Molded Wood Products Technical Interest Group sessions from the 2004 and 2005 Forest Products Society International Convention. These sessions enjoyed a tremendous amount of positive feedback, and this proceedings was developed to satisfy this interest. This is an exciting time for the particleboard, fiberboard, and molded wood products industries. This proceeding captures some of the advanced research that is being conducted to move the overall body of knowledge in this field and advance these important industries.

Topics covered in this 168-page proceedings from the 2-day conference sponsored by the Eastern Canadian Section of the Forest Products Society in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1999 include the use of “hybrid” resin systems for strawboard manufacture; practical experiences in the production of panels using agricultural-based fibers; factors to consider when producing particleboard from straw; utilization of industrial hemp stalks in composite panels; an overview of key issues in the utilization of wheat straw in MDF; a study of 5 different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin; soybean-based adhesives for wood and agricultural fiber composite products; the relationship between moisture content and pMDI in the manufacture of strawboard; market trends for particleboard and MDF; and structural board manufactured from split straw.

This book clearly explains every phase of the manufacturing process and covers the most recent developments in LVL and other new veneer-based products, as well as changes in plywood manufacturing methods, standards, and market demands by focusing on the efficient manufacture of softwood plywood while highlighting the new opportunities and challenges created by today’s growing, diverse veneer-based industry. Fully illustrated, the information is divided into eight major sections. Section I provides a summary and profile of the veneer-based industry; defines the manufacturing task; and describes how industry activities relate to current environmental thinking. Section II provides an historical perspective of the business, with an emphasis on understanding the past and applying its lessons to the future. Section III refines the guidelines for raw material selection and processing of the peeler. Section IV introduces the various peeling and green end systems in chronological order and discusses the latest innovations and trends that will extend into the immediate future. Section V describes the various veneer drying and product assembly machinery and methods, including the latest adhesive use. Section VI illustrates the secondary manufacturing of the basic glued assembly and gives ideas for selling the resulting products. Sections VII and VIII provide tools for managing the business and insights for the future, as the softwood plywood industry moves into its next 100 years.

This updated edition presents comprehensive, practical information on particleboard and a wide array of other composite wood products. It is designed to provide accessible information to the novice and valuable insight to the manufacturing professional. The 688-page book covers manufacturing practices, processing systems, product standards and material properties, and presents material ranging from an overview of the industry and definitions of terms to technical factors governing production. This updated edition also includes an all-new chapter which focuses on the enormous range of composite panels and lumber products, including plywood, MDF, fiberboard, OSB/waferboard, and lumber or timber composites. Chapters include: introduction; production and markets; modern processing systems; composition board materials: properties and testing; parameters affecting board properties; raw materials and particle geometry: effects on board properties; particle generation, conveying, and storage; drying principles and practices; moisture measurement and control; particle separation: principles and equipments; fire and explosions: prevention and detection; resins and other additives; resin/wax applications and blenders; caul and caulless systems; mat forming and formers; prepressing; hot pressing and presses; finishing board; and new developments.

This proceeding contains papers from the 3rd International Conference held in 1995 to explore the potential of wood fibers for the plastics composites industry. Fundamental sessions include: characterizing woodfiber-plastic composites: fiber analysis; characterizing woodfiber-plastic composites: matrix alternatives; surface interactions: interface, interphase, and compatibilization; relationships between structure and properties; and property improvements. Application sessions include: processing equipment; effects of processing on composite properties; aspects of recycled resources: research, recovery, availability, costs, and markets applications of woodfiber-plastic composites; life cycle assessment.

This book provides a thorough review of the manufacture, properties, and application of fiberboard. First printed in a limited edition in 1987 by the USDA Forest Service (now out of print), this book ha been updates with industry statistics and standards information reflecting data as of 1989 or, if available, 1990. The book includes a brief history of the industry and discussions of important technological and chemical aspects of fiberboard manufacture; raw material characteristics and availability; manufacturing equipment and processes, including insulation board, wet and dry process boards, and MDF; finishing processes; water use and treatment; and product properties and applications; including a discussion of commercial standards.