Finite element modeling and experimental validation of radio frequency heating (RFH) of curved laminated wood-based panels

摘要

Thin medium-density fiberboards (MDF) are often used for the production of curved laminated furniture components by post-hot pressing with radiofre-quency heating (RFH). Dimensional instability is one of the major quality problems of these products, and inappropriate heating process was discussed as the main reason for this. In the present study, a finite element model (FEM) was developed in this context, and the temperature distribution within laminated MDF panels was predicted aiming at optimizing the hot-pressing process with RFH. The time-dependent temperatures were collected by temperature sensing strips (TSS). The results agreed well with those obtained by the simulation model. Accordingly, the FEM developed here is well suited for predicting the heating behavior during hot pressing with RFH. The temperature distribution of the curved laminated MDF panels was not symmetric and not uniform because of curved shape effects and the heat convection between MDF panels and ambient air. The time-dependent temperatures of the top and bottom layers were lower than that of the core layer.