HARDNESS APPRAISAL OF MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD (MDF) IN NIGERIAN ECONOMY

Expert knowledge on hardness test analysis on medium density fibreboard (MDF) in Nigerian market needed by stakeholders to avoid loss of finances that may arise due to choice of inappropriate medium density fibreboard (MDF) for plentiful demands as a result of non-availability of such data was investigated. The top three most frequently sought after medium density fibreboard (MDF) were identified and subjected to test to establish their hardness. The samples as required by the Leeds Hardness Tester were prepared and tested four times on the machine and the mean determined. From the generated data, plots on the hardness of the samples were ensued by computer program. Results show that Hokusan attained aggregate average hardness of 535.75 Leeds Hardness Test (HLD), Richard Russel attained aggregate average hardness of 545.75 HLD while SGK Nordiac attained aggregate average hardness of 558.50 HLD. According to statistics, that of SGK Nordiac is 2.34% and 4.25% harder than Richard Russel and Hokusan respectively. The difference in hardness between Richard Russel and Hokusan which is 10 HLD is small compared to the difference in hardness between SGK Nordiac and Hokusan which is as much as 22.75 HLD. Choice of suitable medium density fibreboard based on their hardness would be informed by this novel revelation. Biomedical engineers, engineers as well as other stake holders should utilize these results in their products development. Future research attention should be geared towards hardness tests of high-density fibreboard (HDF) in Nigerian economy