Appraisal of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) Energy-to-Break in Nigerian Market for Sustainable Economy

To avert the usual loss of revenue due to failure associated with using different inappropriate Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF) makes for various needs as a result of unavailability of requisite technical data, appraisal of Energy-to-Break of the three most commonly used Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF) products in the Nigerian market economy with the objective of providing technical guidance for material selection for sustainable economic development was investigated. In conformity to ASTM D1037 Section 9 standard and requirement with the testometric testing machine, four energies to break tests were conducted per sample, and digital aggregate average values reported. Ensued by computer program from the data generated were plots on the dynamics of the energy to break of the samples. Results showed significant differences among brands (F (2, 9) = 362,970, p < 0.0001). Mean energy-to-break values were 0.5975 Nm for SGK NORDIC, 0.5795 Nm for RICHARD RUSSEL and 0.1705 Nm for MDF HOKUSAN. Tukey HSD confirmed that all pairwise differences were statistically significant. Effect sizes were large, with Cohen’s d values exceeding 13 for all comparisons, indicating both statistical and practical significance. All groups exhibited low variability, with CV values below 1%. These variations could be attributed to adhesives’ chemical properties as the samples were prepared so as to conform with comparable conditions. Biomedical, Metallurgical, Mechatronics, Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Production engineers and construction companies as benchmark should value this in developments of their designs and constructions. Energy-to-Break of other engineered wood products types yet to be researched should receive research attention in due course.