Bending Modulus Evaluation of Nigerian Market High Density Fibre Board (HDF) Engineered Wood for Sustainable Economy

This paper investigated the bending modulus of three widely used high Density Fibre Board (HDF) engineered wood products in the Nigerian market Sinoply, Joubert and Dabar with the objective of providing technical guidance for material selection to support sustainable economic development. In accordance with ASTM D1037 and requirement with the testometric testing machine, a universal testing machine (UTM), four bending modulus tests were conducted per sample, and aggregate average values reported. Chats on the dynamics of the bending modulus of the samples were ensued by computer program from the data generated. The study compares the bending modulus of Sinoply, Joubert and Dabar, with ANOVA showing significant differences (p<0.001) between all the three. Turkey’s (HSD) post-hoc show differences with p<0.001 for pairs Dabar and Joubert and Dabar and Sinoply while Turkey’s (HSD) post-hoc result between Sinoply and Joubert show a significant difference with p<0.002. Novelty of the research show that Dabar has the highest bending modulus of approximately 14282MPa, indicating the stiffest and best for applications needing strength and stiffness especially in structural uses. Joubert has lowest bending modulus of approximately 9862MPa as the most flexible is suited for applications requiring flexibility such as in curved designs while Sinoply is in between with approximately 10674MPa balancing strength and flexibility. Analytically, statistics show that the bending modulus for Dabar is 33.80% and 44.81% more optimal than that of Sinoply and Joubert respectively. Bending modulus for Sinoply is just 8.22% advantageous than that of Joubert. These findings imply varying suitability for applications requiring strength versus flexibility. The study concludes that Dabar exhibits the highest bending modulus, followed by Sinoply and Joubert, and recommends the application of these findings in engineering and construction practices as the sustainable novel technical knowledge as benchmark should be utilized in the designs, developments and constructions by biomedical, mechanical, civil engineers and construction companies. Bending modulus of other engineered wood products types yet to be researched should receive research attention in due course.