Hardboard, also called high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an engineered wood product. It is similar to particle board and medium-density fiberboard, but is much harder and denser because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly compressed. It is sometimes referred to as masonite because that was the first brand.

Unlike solid wood, it is very homogeneous with no grain. However, a wood veneer can be glued onto it to give the appearance of solid wood. Other overlays include formica and vinyl. It has many uses, such as a substrate, but unlike plywood and solid wood, it has no structural strength to speak of. It is used in construction, furniture, appliances, automobiles and cabinetry.

Hardboard is produced in either a wet or dry process, which produce a panel called S1S or S2S respectively. The wet process only leaves one smooth side, but dry processed harboard is smooth on both sides. Like other types of fiberboard, hardboard is susceptible to moisture damage and is generally not used outside. Tempered hardboard is made by adding an oil that becomes a polymer when the board is formed under high temperature and pressure. This gives it more water resistance, hardness, rigidity and tensile strength. It is used in construction siding.

Hardboard was invented by Daniel Manson Sutherland in 1898, at Sunbury Common in Spelthorne near London. He formed the Patent Impermeable Millboard Company to market and develop his invention.

See also

• Engineered wood
• Fiberboard
• Glued laminated timber
• Masonite
• Medium-density fiberboard
• Oriented strand board
• Particle board
• Plywood
• Pressed wood

References

• Engineered Wood

Wood | Engineered wood

Hardboard | Hardboard