ESL® and ESB® have been independently accredited by Siempelkamp, Dieffenbacher, Dresden Wood Institute, Alberta Research Council (now part of Alberta Innovates Technology Futures), University of New Brunswick and other leading Research Centres to be structurally stronger and superior to Particle Board, Medium Density Fibre Board, Orientated Strand Board (OSB) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (“LVL”) and challenges steel for strength and durability and natural fire resistance (see Optional Treatments).
- The ESL® and ESB® process uses a non-formaldehyde based resin pMDI, which sets permanently under heat and pressure. Unlike other glues, eg. formaldehyde-based glue used extensively in particleboard, Medium Density Fibre board or OSB, Lignor’s resin does not emit noxious gases and can be sawn as one would saw normal wood.
- ESL® and ESB® do not lose their bonding when immersed in water due to the combined physical and chemical bonding achieved by the resin.
- These exceptional bonding and waterproofing properties makes ESL® and ESB® suitable for external surfaces such as horizontal beams/cross arms on power poles and decking.
- Resistant to swell, shrink and warp due to the high internal bonding. Blue Gum ESL® subject to the 24-hour swell test expanded by less than 3% and Blue Gum ESB® expanded by only 5%, compared to much greater expansion in Particle Board flooring.
- Blue Gum ESB® has an Internal Bond of 2 N/mm2 which is 5 times that of the OSB highest Standard EN 300-4 OSB standard of 0.4 N/mm2.
- Surface hardness greater than natural jarrah, karri, other eucalypts, and North American hardwoods.
- ESL® has an embedded fastening strength that is over 2.1 times that of Douglas fir that can take up to 10 times to grow before harvest as Blue Gum ESL®
