Nelson Pine Industries test

Machining

GoldenEdge MDF Panels can be worked easily with standard wood working machinery. The homogenous nature of GoldenEdge ensures that a good finish can be achieved on the edges. Tungsten carbide cutters and saws are recommended.

Laminating
Because of its light colour GoldenEdge MDF is an ideal substrate for laminating with natural wood veneer, vinyls, printed papers, foils and melamine papers. A balanced laminated panel would eliminate minor cupping or bowing. Care must be taken to ensure that conditions of very high press pressure, high press temperature and long press times do not exist during laminating.

Screw Holding
GoldenEdge MDF provides good screw holding strength both in the faces and edges. The recommendations are:

Screw Type
The best results are obtained with the parallel thread screws such as the Twinfast or particle board screws. Conventional wood screws are not recommended.

Screw Gauge
The choice of screw gauge should be decided in relation to board thickness. The maximum screw gauge when edge fixing into GoldenEdge MDF is:

Pilot Hole
A pilot hole is recommended to avoid splitting during edge screw fixing.

Pilot Hole Depth
Pilot holes should be drilled approximately 2-3 mm beyond the expected depth of insertions of the screws.

Screw Position
The position of screws inserted into the faces and edges of MDF should be decided in relation to board thickness and screw size. Screws inserted into the edges should not be less than 25mm from the corners.

Screw Tension
The screw must not be overtightened as further turning will reduce the holding strength.

Screw Withdrawal Strengths
To illustrate the holding power of screws in GoldenEdge MDF the forces required to withdraw typical parallel thread screws in an axial direction from 16 mm GoldenEdge MDF faces and edges are given below.

Stapling
Stapling can be used effectively for joint fitting. For best results it is helpful to add adhesive to the joint prior to assembly.
When stapling into GoldenEdge MDF, it is important to have good control of air pressure to avoid excessive penetration of staples. For nailing use either annular groove or helical nails of 13 or 14 gauge, for best results.

Nailing
GoldenEdge MDF can be fixed by nailing with good holding power and no split out when the following conditions are met:

Sanding and Finishing
Special attention to sanding edges gives excellent results. Use 120 grit paper followed by 240 or 320 grit paper.

Stopping
Stop all nail and staple holes with a low shrinkage wood filter. Match and blend colours as required to suit. Lightly sand with 320 grit paper.

Painting
For best results application of three coats is recommended. First coat primer/undercoat is critical to the final finish. It is recommended that primer/undercoat is applied to paint manufacturer's recommendations.
Apply second and third coats or additional coats as required.
A light sand using 280 to 320 grit paper is recommended after the first coat and between subsequent coats.

Lining Walls (6mm minimum recommended)
Because of the susceptibility of GoldenEdge MDF to expansion and contraction all joints between sheets should provide for movement. Therefore a 2mm expansion gap must be provided for.
Treatment of the joint can vary - vee joint, rounded joint, timber half round, PVC jointers.
GoldenEdge MDF must be supported by framework and nailed at specific points. Please refer to table.

Lining Walls (6mm minimum recommended)
Because of the GoldenEdge susceptibility to water vapour, masonry walls must be sealed from external moisture ingress. The following procedures must be adhered to.

Step 1 Application of an effective damp proof course (eg. Flintkote) to the exterior of backfilled basement floors.

Step 2 A moisture barrier must be applied (ie. paint film) to the interior of basement walls. Furring strips are then overlaid, (50 x 25mm) the spacing of which is given in Framework Support Centres table. 25mm end gaps should be left around the furring strips to encourage air movement.

Step 3 A reflective insulation foil should then be applied to the face immediately before the application of the GoldenEdge board, then fixed in the manner described for timber frame lining. Consideration should be given to the insertion of small ventilation holes at the bottom of each sheet, finished with facing plates.
The non-compliance with any or all of the previous steps will encourage sheet movement and therefore cause the lining to buckle.
Modern developments in construction adhesives have made them extremely effective and useful in fixing sheet materials as an alternative to mechanical fixing by nails or staples. Construction adhesives and GoldenEdge are compatible, being ideal for lining interiors. It is recommended that solvent-based elastomeric construction adhesives be used preferably of the 'slow cure' variety. Water-based varieties are not recommended. Manufacturers' recommendations with reference to method and degree of application must be followed closely.

Storage
The method of manufacturing MDF ensures a balanced construction resulting from the uniform distribution of fibres throughout the thickness of the board. The maintenance of this inherent flatness is dependent upon the use of correct storage and handling procedures. Without these, boards may develop a permanent set under their own weight particularly if they are not adequately supported on a flat pallet or by sufficient bearers during any storage period.

1. MDF sheets should preferably be stored horizontally and lifted clear of the floor using dry bearers as supports.

2. Where individual bearers are used they should be of equal thickness and placed at not more than 800mm centres for boards of 15mm thickness or more. Closer spacing is required for thinner boards.

4. Stacks of boards should have flush sides to minimise damage to protruding edges or overhanging corners.

5. Vertical storage of small numbers of boards is acceptable provided the boards are well supported close to vertical position.

6. The storage area should be well ventilated and the conditions should be reasonably dry. An average relative humidity of 50% will maintain board moisture content in the range 7-9%.

7. Boards should be fully protected from the weather during transportation and storage.

8. One or two scrap boards should be placed on top of stacked boards, to reduce the effect of short term changes in environmental conditions.

Taking Delivery
GoldenEdge is delivered with cover sheets included at top and bottom. These packs are plastic strapped and should be dismantled and conditioned on four bearers as soon as possible. Care should be taken when cutting plastic strapping to avoid injury.

Conditioning
To ensure the compatibility of GoldenEdge with other materials with which it is being used, a conditioning period of at least 48 hours must be observed. To promote air movement around the individual sheets, 75mm gluts must be inserted between the sheets. It is essential that each sheet is supported not more than 900mm centres and 300mm from the end. If the stack must be covered a 'breather' type sheeting with a clear air space must be provided between the stack and the cover sheet; impervious materials such as polyethylene sheet must be avoided.

Product Care
Care in stock turn is essential to avoid board variations caused by moisture uptake. Therefore the principle of first in first out stock rotation should be used. Storage should always be in areas not subject to:

Working with GoldenEdge
To achieve a smooth continuous surface without warping or distortion, GoldenEdge should never be fixed to timber framing or substrates with a moisture content exceeding 20%.

Finishing
Veneers and Plastic Sheeting Surfacing
Satisfactory adhesion by cold cured adhesives rely on keying of the surface of GoldenEdge by light sanding. It is essential that a balancing of surfacing be provided on both surfaces to avoid board distortion.
Veneering of GoldenEdge on one surface alters the balance of the material to absorb moisture, therefore the risk of board distortion is high. This practice is not advisable.

Technical Advisory Service
GoldenEdge products are manufactured in New Zealand by Nelson Pine Industries Ltd to the highest standards of quality and consistency. Nelson Pine Industries Ltd will assist you in all aspects of technical advice. You are invited to call the Technical Manager 0800 800 438 Toll Free for technical information relating to fixing, techniques, design performance, fire resistance and questions relating to specific performance criteria.

Product Performance
GoldenEdge MDFPanels should not be used in exterior applications, should not be exposed to water or high humidity situations (saunas, shower cabinets) and should be kept clear of nearby heat sources such as solid fuel heaters and free-standing fireplaces. GoldenEdge is manufactured specifically for applications such as high quality furniture and joinery, using urea formaldehyde resin manufactured expressly for Nelson Pine Industries.
Formaldehyde concentrations in areas without proper ventilation are significantly reduced by sealing all exposed surfaces and edges with two coats of paint or polyurethane.
GoldenEdge MDF Panels are resistant to fungal decay provided that the board does not exceed 20% moisture content for extended periods. They are also resistant to attack by common household wood borer. There are no additives such as insecticides or fungicides.
As with all wood and wood products, it is possible that GoldenEdge panels may contract or expand with mositure content. Provision of linear expansion in the panels should be made in any design utilising MDF.

Durability
GoldenEdge will be durable for 15 years when used for non-bracing and non-structural interior applications in houses as follows:

Used for the construction of fixtures such as benches or basin supports where:

Other uses (eg. Shelving, skirting trim, furniture, door jambs, stair treads and non-bracing linings)
GoldenEdge will be durable for 50 years when used in dry interior environments (ie. not saunas, spa rooms or shower rooms). When used in wet rooms (eg. laundries and bathrooms) the provisions of NZBC E3 must be complied with and an impervious coating applied to GoldenEdge. The bottom of GoldenEdge linings and floor level trim will swell and eventually deteriorate if exposed to persistent or cyclic wetting.

Product Warranty
GoldenEdge carries a 12-month warranty against faulty materials or workmanship by the manufacturer to the extent of replacement of the product but not including any indirect or consequential loss subject to the provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

WARNING
This warranty applies only when the product has been used in accordance with the recommendations. Any defect must be advised to the manufacturer within 21 days of determination or from the day such defects should have become known.
Nelson Pine Industries Ltd reserves the right to change specifications contained in this publication without notice.
This is a reconstituted wood panel made from wood, resin and wax. This must be handled in accordance with safe work practices.
Exposure to wood dust and/or formaldehyde may cause irritation to the eyes, respiratory system and skin, and may cause sensitisation by inhalation resulting in asthma, and by skin contact resulting in dermatitis.
Wood dust is classified as a known carcinogen. Repeated inhalation of wood dust over many years may cause nasal cancer. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable carcinogen.

Storage
Storage areas containing large quantities of this product must be adequately ventilated.

Safe Work Practice
Work areas must be well ventilated and kept clean. Sawing, sanding and machining equipment must be fitted with dust extractors to ensure that dust levels are kept within standards laid down by Worksafe Australia, Occupational Safety and Health New Zealand, or the specific country of use. lf not, a dust mask conforming with AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 and eye protection conforming with AS/NZS 1337 must be worn.
Offcuts, shavings and dust must be disposed of in a manner which avoids the generation of dust and in accordance with the requirements of local waste disposal authorities.
In end use applications all product surfaces exposed to occupied space must be sealed.

Further Information
Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet for this product available from Nelson Pine Industries Ltd, their Distributors and Resellers.