ANSI A135.
4-2012 Basic Hardboard
Approved June 8, 2012
American National Standard
Basic Hardboard
Composite Panel Association
19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306, Leesburg, VA 20176
Tel (703) 724-1128, Fax (703) 724-1588
www.CompositePanel.org
Posted December 4, 2019
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
American Approval of an American Standard requires verification by the American National Standards In-
stitute (ANSI) that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval
National have been met by the standard’s developer.
Standard Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, sub-
stantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected interests. Substantial
agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consen-
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National Standards Institute.
Abstract This Standard defines hardboard, covers requirements and test methods for water absorption,
thickness swelling, modulus of rupture, tensile strength, surface finish, dimensions, square-
ness, edge straightness, and moisture content of five classes of basic hardboard. Where ap-
propriate, test methods in ASTM D 1037 are required. Methods of identifying hardboard that
conforms to this Standard are provided.
Published by
Composite Panel Association
19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306, Leesburg, VA 20176
Copyright© 2012 by Composite Panel Association
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form,
in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without prior
permission of the Composite Panel Association.
Printed in the United States of America
Contents Page
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................1
1 Scope .............................................................................................................................3
2 Definition.........................................................................................................................3
2.1 Basic Hardboard ......................................................................................................3
2.2 Surface .....................................................................................................................3
3 Requirements .................................................................................................................3
3.1 General ....................................................................................................................3
3.2 Classes ....................................................................................................................3
3.3 Surface Finish ..........................................................................................................3
3.4 Dimensions and Tolerances .....................................................................................3
3.5 Squareness ..............................................................................................................3
3.6 Edge Straightness ....................................................................................................3
3.7 Moisture Content ......................................................................................................3
3.8 Marking and Identification ........................................................................................4
Tables
1 Classification of Hardboard by Thickness and Physical Properties................................5
2 Thickness Ranges for Hardboard Panels .......................................................................6
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
This Foreword is not a part of American National Standard for Basic Hardboard.) Basic hardboard has numerous uses,
from wall paneling to furniture components, to a variety of utility boards for home and industry.
This Standard was originally promulgated under the procedures of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Bureau
of Standards and designated as Voluntary Product Standard PS 58-73. The 1982 revision was published with adjust-
ments to physical properties listed in Table I which reflected the state of the art. In 1988 the Standard was reaffirmed
without change. The 1995 revision made editorial corrections and added metric equivalents. The 2004 revision made
only editorial changes. This 2012 revision updates the ASTM standard references, refines the definition of hardboard,
and makes minor editorial changes.
The development of this American National Standard for Basic Hardboard offers manufacturers, consumers, and the
general public concerned with the product an effective guide developed under the consensus procedures of the Ameri-
can National Standards Institute.
1
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
Consensus for this standard was achieved by use of a canvass body and ANSI’s Essential Requirements for due pro-
cess. The following organizations, recognized as having an interest in hardboard standards, were contacted prior to
the approval of this standard. Inclusion in this list does not necessarily imply that the organization concurred with the
submittal of the proposed standard to ANSI.
APA—The Engineered Wood Association Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
CMI/CraftMaster Manufacturing, Inc. Masonite International
Decorative Panels International National Association of Home Builders
Element (formerly Stork Materials Technology) North American Fiberboard Association
Georgia-Pacific Corporation Stimson Lumber Company
JELD-WEN Windows & Doors Valspar Corporation
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association University of Illinois
Lynden Door, Inc.
2
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
American National Standard 3.2. Classes. The hardboard shall be classified based on
the physical properties shown in Table 1. The properties
for Basic Hardboard shall be determined in accordance with the applicable test
methods in Part B of the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) D 1037-06a Test Methods for Evaluat-
1. Scope ing the Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel
Materials, except that, when testing modulus of rupture,
This Standard covers requirements and methods of specimens greater than 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) thick shall be
testing for the water resistance, modulus of rupture, tested according to Part A, Section 9 of this reference.
tensile strength, surface finish, dimensions, square-
ness, edge straightness, and moisture content of five 3.3. Surface Finish. The smooth surfaces shall be as
classes of basic hardboard. Engineered wood sid- free from visible variations in the surface plane as com-
ing, engineered wood trim and prefinished hardboard mercially practicable when visually inspected by an in-
paneling are covered by separate American National dividual competent in the field
Standards. Methods of identifying hardboard that
conforms to this Standard are provided.
3.4. Dimensions and Tolerances. The hardboard pan-
els shall have a nominal width of 1220 mm or 1524 mm
(4 feet or 5 feet). The nominal length of the panels shall
2. Definition be as agreed upon by the purchaser and the seller. The
tolerance on the nominal width and length shall be plus
2.1. Basic Hardboard. Hardboard is a panel manu- or minus 1.6 mm/m (1/64 inch/linear foot). The nominal
factured primarily from inter-felted lignocellulosic fibers thicknesses shall be as designated in Table 2. Thick-
consolidated under heat and pressure in a hot press to ness ranges shall be as specified in Table 2 when mea-
a density of 500 kg/m3 (31 lbs/ft3) or greater by: sured in accordance with the applicable test method in
Part B of ASTM D 1037-06a.
A) a wet process, or
B) a dry process that uses: 3.5. Squareness. The length of the diagonals of the
hardboard panels shall not vary by more than 1.6 mm/m
a) a phenolic resin, or
(1/64 inch/foot) of length of the panels. Opposite sides
b) a resin system in which there is no added of the panels shall not vary in length more than 3.2 mm
formaldehyde as part of the resin cross-linking (1/8 inch).
structure, or
C) a wet formed/dry pressed process. 3.6. Edge Straightness. The edges of the hardboard
panels shall be straight within 1.6 mm/m (1/64 inch/
Other materials may be added to improve certain prop- foot) of length or width. Edge straightness shall be de-
erties, such as stiffness, hardness, finishing properties, termined by stretching a string or wire from one corner
resistance to abrasion and moisture, as well as to in- and measuring the widest distance between the string
crease strength, durability, and utility. or wire and the panel edge being tested.
2.2. Surface. Hardboard panels are available with ei- 3.7. Moisture Content. The moisture content of the
ther one (S1S) or two (S2S) smooth sides. hardboard shall be not less than 2 percent nor more than
9 percent and, within any one shipment, shall not vary
by more than 3 percentage points as measured by the
3. Requirements moisture content of the modulus of rupture specimens.
Moisture content shall be determined in accordance
with the applicable test method in Part B of ASTM D
3.1. General. All hardboard represented as complying 1037-06a. Since hardboard is a wood-base material, its
with this Standard shall meet all of the requirements moisture content will vary with environmental humidity
specified herein. The inspection and test procedures conditions. When the humidity conditions in the area of
contained in this section are to be used to determine intended use are a critical factor, the purchaser should
the conformance of products to the requirements of specify a moisture content range more restrictive than 2
this Standard. to 9 percent so that fluctuation in the moisture content
of the panel will be kept to a minimum.
3
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
3.8. Marking and Identification. All basic hardboard
which is represented as conforming to this Standard
shall be identified by either of the following methods
when requested by the purchaser:
a) Each board shall be marked with a colored
vertical stripe or stripes which indicates the
class of the board. The marking for the different
classes shall be as follows:
Number and Figure 1. A stack of hardboard showing placement
Class color of stripes of markings.
Tempered 1 Red
Service Tempered 2 Red
b) The shipment or order shall be accompanied
Standard 1 Green by a written certification stating the class of the
Service 2 Green hardboard and that the hardboard conforms to
Industrialite 1 Blue the requirements of this Standard.
The stripe or stripes shall be applied to the four edges
of a board as follows:
On the short sides of the board, the stripe should be
applied 75 mm (3 inches) from the left hand corner
(as determined when the marker faces the side be-
ing marked); on the long sides of the board, the stripe
should be applied 75 mm (3 inches) from the right hand
corner as determined when the marker faces the side
being marked. See Figure 1 for an example of the
placement of the markings. Stripes shall be 13 mm (1/2
inch) in width. When two stripes are used they shall be
25mm (1 inch) apart.
4
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
Table 1
Classification of Hardboard by Thickness and Physical Properties
Water resistance Tensile strength
(max. average per panel) (min. average per panel)
Modulus of
Nominal
Class Water rupture
thickness Thickness
absorption (min. average Parallel Perpendicular
Swelling
based on weight per panel) to surface to surface
mm inch percent percent MPa psi MPa psi MPa psi
2.1 1/12 30 25 41.4 6000 20.7 3000 0.90 130
2.5 1/10 25 20
1 3.2 1/8 25 20
Tempered 4.8 3/16 25 20
6.4 1/4 20 15
7.9 5/16 15 10
9.5 3/8 10 9
2.1 1/12 40 30
2.5 1/10 35 25
3.2 1/8 35 25
2
4.8 3/16 35 25 31.0 4500 15.2 2200 0.62 90
Standard
6.4 1/4 25 20
7.9 5/16 20 15
9.5 3/8 15 10
3.2 1/8 35 30
3
4.8 3/16 30 30
Service- 31.0 4500 13.8 2000 0.52 75
6.4 1/4 30 25
Tempered
9.5 3/8 20 15
3.2 1/8 45 35
4.8 3/16 40 35
6.4 1/4 40 30
4
9.5 3/8 35 25 20.7 3000 10.3 1500 0.34 50
Service
11.1 7/16 35 25
12.7 1/2 30 20
15.9 5/8 25 20
6.4 1/4 50 30
5 9.5 3/8 40 25
Industrialite 11.1 7/16 40 25 13.8 2000 6.9 1000 0.17 25
12.7 1/2 35 25
15.9 5/8 30 20
5
ANSI A135.4-2012 Basic Hardboard
Table 2
Thickness Ranges for Hardboard Panels
Nominal Thickness Thickness Range (min.-max.)
mm inch mm inch
2.1 1/12 (0.083) 1.8 – 2.3 0.070 – 0.090
2.5 1/10 (0.100) 2.3 – 2.8 0.091 – 0.110
3.2 1/8 (0.125) 2.9 – 3.9 0.115 – 0.155
4.8 3/16 (0.188) 4.2 – 5.2 0.165 – 0.205
6.4 1/4 (0.250) 5.3 – 6.7 0.210 – 0.265
7.9 5/16 (0.312) 7.4 – 8.5 0.290 – 0.335
9.5 3/8 (0.375) 8.9 – 10.2 0.350 – 0.400
11.1 7/16 (0.438) 10.4 – 11.7 0.410 – 0.460
12.7 1/2 (0.500) 12.1 – 13.3 0.475 – 0.525
15.9 5/8 (0.625) 15.2 – 16.5 0.600 – 0.650
6
C ꢀ M P ꢀ S I T E PA N E L A S S ꢀ C I AT I ꢀ N
Founded in 1960, the Composite Panel Association (CPA) is dedicated to advancing the North American
wood–based panel and decorative surfacing industries. CPA represents both industries on technical,
regulatory, quality assurance and product acceptance issues. CPA General Members include the leading
manufacturers of particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and hardboard, representing about
95% of North American manufacturing capacity.
CPA Associate Members include manufacturers of decorative surfaces, furniture, cabinets, mouldings,
doors and equipment, along with laminators, distributors, industry media and adhesive suppliers. All are
committed to product advancement and industry competitiveness.
