OSB vs Particleboard
Natural Material · grade comparison
OSB and Particleboard are both natural material grades. OSB is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Particleboard, about 33% more. OSB is the more ductile: elongation 1% versus 0.6% for Particleboard. OSB is lighter (0.64 g/cm³ vs 0.68 g/cm³ for Particleboard) and OSB is stiffer (3.5 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, OSB machines more easily (excellent vs good).
OSBChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
ParticleboardChoose it when the part sees heat.
OSB vs Particleboard: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all natural material grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all natural material grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.25
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁸ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁵ µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every natural material grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | OSB | Particleboard |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
OSB vs Particleboard — frequently asked
Is OSB stronger than Particleboard?
Yes. OSB has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Particleboard — about 33% more.
Which is cheaper, OSB or Particleboard?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, OSB or Particleboard?
OSB. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (65/100) for Particleboard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in OSB and Particleboard side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.