Types of Sustainable Paperboard Packaging Products

What Is Chip Board & How Is It Made?

Introduction

When it comes to cost-effective, rugged, and functional materials for a broad array of projects - from packing boxes to book covers - Chip Board is often one of the first materials in mind for many. If you are trying to figure out what Chip Board is, or how it is made, you have come to the right place! Let's take a look at everything you need to know, including the manufacturing process and its uses.

What is it?

It’s an engineered material manufactured from pressed wood chips — or particle wood — and a binding agent. Unlike plywood or solid wood boards made from large sheets of wood, this material is manufactured from used scraps of wood pressed into a solid sheet. Thus, it is a very environmentally friendly option that reduces scrap wood or rejects into a practical, usable pressboard material.

 

 The Raw Materials That Make Up Chip Board

Chip Board is made from recycled wood chips, shavings, sawdust, and other small parts of wood. Typically, manufacturers procure these materials from furniture factories, lumber mills, and other building construction sites, making it more environmentally friendly than some standard boards. The particles are combined via an adhesive, normally urea-formaldehyde resin, so that they become a strong sheet.

 The Value of Using Recycled Material

Using recycled material to create Chip Board diverts a ton of wood waste from landfills. The eco friendly options appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, while lowering overall production cost to manufacturers. Additionally, this eco friendly material process may become a selling point for commercial businesses wanting to be greener.

 

The Manufacturing Process of Chip Board

Step 1: Particle Processing

First, the raw materials  wood chips and wood shavings  must be cleaned to remove dirt and debris. After cleaning, the materials are sorted for size to ensure more consistent/clumped materials moving to the next step. It is important to make sure the chip sizes are the same size because a uniform size of material will greatly improve the strength and look of the Chip Board sheets.

Step 2: Applying the Type of Adhesive

In this next step, the chips are heated and added to a strong resin binder. The adhesive binds the chips together, and it makes them stronger. This is also the step to mix in any water-resistant additives to make the board more resistant in water.

Step 3: Hot Pressed

After the chips are mixed with the resin, they are formed into large mats that pass through the heated press. The press applies heat and pressure, stuffing the particles in an effort to compress the chips into sheets. The heat will also activate the binding agent for a long-lasting hold for . The press cycle lasts a few minutes for each sheet of Chip Board, and longer for extra-thick boards. The press can reach up to 200°C.

Step 4: Cooling and Cutting

Once machine-pressed, the boards cool slowly on racks to allow the resin to cure correctly. Once they have cured, the boards are cut to consistent sizes like 4x8 sheets or according to orders for customized sheets, then sanded and inspected for flatness before final packaging. In the end, we have a strong, affordable, usable Chip Board that is ready for a variety of commercial and personal applications.

 

Why use it in DIY and Industry applications?

This is one of those flexible products that can fit into almost every industry. Low cost, light weight, and ease of handling make this a great option for many things.

• Furniture: It’s often used as a substrate for low-cost furniture.
• Packaging: Leak-proof durable boxes or protective separators can also rely on it.
• Binding: Many hard cover books are backed with a strong board similar to this material.
• Crafts & Models: Artists often use it because of its flat smooth surface for painting and cutting.

 

Differences Between Chip Board and Other Boards

Chip Board vs. Plywood

Unlike plywood which is produced by stacking multiple sheets of thin wood veneer, Chip Board is made of wood particles pressed together. This process is more efficient and cheaper than plywood.

Comparing MDF and Other Wood-Based Boards

When choosing between MDF and other types of pressed wood materials, it’s important to understand their differences. MDF offers a dense, smooth surface that’s ideal for detailed work and intricate designs. On the other hand, other wood-based boards tend to be more affordable and lighter, making them practical for larger, less decorative projects. Depending on your project’s needs  whether it’s a focus on fine finishing or cost-effectiveness  each option provides its own set of strengths to suit different creative and functional purposes.

Chip Board vs. File Board

Both file board and Chip Board have applications, file board is usually thinner and more refined, and is typically part of an office supply, whereas Chip Board can be considered thicker and stronger, and is used for a broader application.

 

FAQs

1: Is it resistant to water?

Most are not water-resistant, but you can find options with water-resistant properties, typically with additives or coatings that make it water-resistant.

2: Can I paint or laminate it?

Yes! It can be painted, laminated, or veneered to give it a new look and protect the surface. Many furniture items are manufactured with a laminated surface.

3: Is it environmentally friendly?

Yes, it’s considered environmentally friendly because it’s most often produced using recycled wood leftover from other wood products. The production process minimizes the amount of wood going to landfills and reduces the amount of raw timber needed.

4: What thickness is it available in?
It’s available in a variety of thicknesses, as thin as 2mm and as thick as 40mm or more. You can select the appropriate thickness based on your need for flexibility or strength.

 

Conclusion

All in all, this is an incredibly versatile material that is practical and environmentally friendly. It is a useful and cost-effective board you’ll use for packaging, furniture, or crafts, and you won’t find it difficult to work with and just as importantly, it is dimensionally stable. Many office supplies, like a file board, are often made with this as the core. It’s just one of those common materials you use often but may not always pay attention to it.

With more knowledge about its manufacturing process and sustainability benefits, you can appreciate the practicality of a file board and other similar products while selecting the appropriate type for your next great project.