Thickness Swell in Particle Board: A Forensic Tool for the Duration of Loss

摘要

When a water loss damages a home and insurance coverage is anticipated, the investigator is often asked a critical question, "When did the loss occur?" Water losses frequently damage cabinetry because composite wood products (i.e., particle board) are vulnerable to thickness swell (TS). TS occurs when composite wood products absorb free water and distort in response to absorption and the release of compressive forces. The study examined five factors that influence TS: product thickness, binding adhesive, presence and type of a coating, surfactants, and particle board density. Multiple panels (unfaced, vinyl-faced, and melamine faced) were measured for the vertical moisture absorption under conditions of constant moisture exposure, elevated relative humidity (＞94% RH), and slight elevated room temperatures (77-81℉) over periods from two to four months. The test results revealed that some circumstances offer a reliable technique to estimate the duration of a one time, continuous water loss when combined with other facts and observations.