How to Calculate Particle Board Density

Measure the dimensions of particle board to find its density.

Particle board consists of bits of wood glued together. Find the density of the particle board by using the size and weight. Measurements of density for particle board indicate whether the material has a low, medium or high density. Particle board with a higher density weighs more for a given sheet size than particle board with a low density.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scale

Instructions

1. Measure the length, width and thickness in inches of the particle board sheet, using the measuring tape.

2. Divide the measurements in inches by 12 to convert the inches to feet. For instance, if the board measured: 24 inches by 36 inches by ½ inch divide all these by 12 to find dimensions of: 2 feet, 3 feet and (1/24) feet, which is 0.0416 feet.

3. Multiply all of the dimensions of the particle board sheet together to find the volume. For the example: 2 feet x 3 feet x (1/24) feet = ¼ cubic feet = 0.25 cubic feet.

4. Set the particle board sheet on top of a scale to find the weight in pounds.

5. Divide the weight of the board in pounds by the volume of the board in feet to find the density in pounds per cubic foot. For the example, if the 0.25 cubic feet board weighed 8 pounds: 8.0/.25 = 32 pounds/cubic foot.

6. Classify the board as low density if it measures between 25 and 37 pounds per cubic foot, medium between 37 and 50, and high density greater than 50 pounds per cubic foot.

References

• Rural Tech: Combined Wood Products