Wood OSB, from English Oriented reinforcement plank (Oriented chipboard), it is a very versatile and high performance board whose main use is aimed at civil construction, where it has replaced the plywood mainly in Europe and the United States.
Thanks to their excellent properties, which include strength, stability and comparatively low price, they have become a reference not only in structural applications, but also in the world of decoration, where their striking and differentiated aspect plays in their favor.
Compared to other types of cards, it has been relatively short on the market. The first attempts to obtain such a plate were developed in the 1950s, without much success. It took until the 1980s for a Canadian company, Macmillan, the current version of the oriented reinforcement board was successfully developed.
OSB Features
OSBs have interesting features and advantages for various uses at really competitive prices. Although, on the other hand, they have disadvantages
Appearance.
OSB boards offer a distinctly different appearance from other boards. This is easily distinguished by the size of the chips (larger than any other type of board) and rough texture.
This appearance may be inconvenient for use in decorative applications, but the opposite has happened. It has also become a popular material for decoration and not just for structural uses.
The color may vary depending on the wood used, the type of adhesive and the manufacturing process between light yellow and brown.
Dimensional stability.
It has excellent stability, just slightly below that offered by plywood. Longitudinal: 0.03 – 0.02%. Overall: 0.04-0.03%. Thickness: 0.07-0.05%.
Excellent resistance and high load capacity.
This characteristic is directly related to the geometry of the chips and the properties of the adhesives used.
Does not have nodes, gaps or other types of weaknesses such as plywood or solid wood. What these defects produce is that at certain points the plaque is weaker.
Thermal and acoustic insulation.
It offers parameters similar to those naturally offered by solid wood.
Workability.
It can be worked with the same tool and machined in the same way as other types of boards or wood: cut, drill, drill or nail.
Finishes, paints and / or varnishes can be sanded and applied, both water-based and solvent-based.
Fire resistance.
Similar to solid wood. Its Euroclass fire reaction values standardized without the need for tests are standardized ranging from: D-s2, d0 to D-s2, d2 and Dfl-s1 to E; Efl
Moisture resistance.
This is defined by the glues or adhesives used to manufacture the card. Phenolic adhesives offer the greatest resistance to moisture. In no case should the OSB board, not even the OSB / 3 and OSB / 4 types, be submerged or come into direct contact with water.
Durability against fungi and insects.
They can be attacked by xylophagous fungi and also by some insects such as termites in certain particularly favorable environments. However, they are immune to insects in the larval cycle, such as woodworm.
Less environmental impact.
Its manufacturing process can be considered more environmentally friendly or responsible than the manufacture of plywood. This puts less pressure on forest resources, that is, greater use is made of the tree.
