MDF vs. Thermoset PI

MDF belongs to the wood-based materials classification, while thermoset PI belongs to the thermoset plastics. There are 11 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (19, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is MDF and the bottom bar is thermoset PI.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)Thermoset Polyimide (PI)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Compressive (Crushing) Strength, MPa		10
Compressive (Crushing) Strength, MPa		120 to 210

Elongation at Break, %		0.5
Elongation at Break, %		2.0 to 5.9

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		18
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		37 to 81

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1700
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1130

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.3
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.29 to 1.7

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		12
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		38 to 54

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		0.5
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		20

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		0.75
Density, g/cm³		1.4 to 1.6

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		6.7
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		6.5 to 16

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		20
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		16 to 30

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.24
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.18 to 0.95