Evaluation the effects of edge banding type and thickness on the strength of corner joints in case-type furniture

Edge banding is used to cover the exposed sides of wood materials such as plywood, particleboard or medium-density fiberboard, giving the appearance of a solid (or more valuable) material. This study was carried out to determine the effects of the edge banding material, namely polyvinyl chloride (PVC), melamine and wood veneer, thickness of edge banding material (0.4, 1, and 2 mm), and wood composite panel type on the diagonal compression and tension strength properties of particleboard surfaced with synthetic resin sheet (LamPb) and MDF surfaced with synthetic resin sheet (LamMDF). The diagonal tension strength was greater than the diagonal compression strength of all L-type corner joints. Samples with edge banding gave higher diagonal tension and compression strength than control samples. LamMDF corner joints were stronger than LamPb corner joints. As for the type of edge banding, melamin type edge banding material gave more diagonal tension and compression strength than others. The lowest tension and compression strength was obtained in PVC edge banding material. There were significant differences in strength in terms of type of edge banding and wood composite panel material. A clear relationship between edge banding thickness and strength could not be determined. As case furniture constructions are under diagonal tension and compression forces, spline joint using 0.4 mm melamine edge banding can be recommended as the most robust corner joint type for case furniture produced from LamMDF panels. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved