OSB
ASTM D5456 / EN 300 · GB GB/T 22349
OSB is a structural panel of oriented wood strands bonded with resin under heat and pressure, classified as OSB/1 to OSB/4 in EN 300 and covered by ASTM D5456, ASTM D2718 and GB/T 22349.
Reference datasheet — OSB is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the OSB/3 condition
OSB tempers and conditions
OSB is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. OSB/3 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General purpose / interior fitments, dry conditions | Cheapest non-structural grade for furniture backs, interior fitments and packaging in dry (service class 1) use only. | 9 | 0.8 | 0.12 W/m·K | ||
Load-bearing panel, dry conditions | Structural grade for interior load-bearing use where the panel stays dry (service class 1); usually MUF/PF bonded. | 11 | 0.9 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
OSB/3Default Load-bearing panel, humid conditions | The mainstream construction grade: structural sheathing for walls, roofs and floors in service class 2 (humid, protected from weathering). | 12 | 1 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
Heavy-duty load-bearing panel, humid conditions | Higher-density, higher-resin grade for long spans, I-joist webs and heavy point loads in humid service. | 16 | 0.14 W/m·K |
What is OSB?
OSB is a structural panel of oriented wood strands bonded with resin under heat and pressure, classified as OSB/1 to OSB/4 in EN 300 and covered by ASTM D5456, ASTM D2718 and GB/T 22349. It is chosen where plywood-like sheathing performance is needed at lower cost, supplied as large flat panels, sometimes tongue-and-groove or factory-coated. In-plane properties are lower than plywood at about 12 MPa tensile strength and 3.5 GPa modulus, density is higher at 0.64 g/cm3, and maximum service temperature is 60 C. Edge swelling in wet exposure and a corrosion/decay score of 30 mean OSB/3 or OSB/4 and sealed edges are required in humid service; plywood is the alternative when a finished face or higher stiffness is needed. OSB has a density of 0.64 g/cm³ (0.0231 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of natural material grades. OSB has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 3.5 GPa (0.508 Msi).
What is OSB used for?
- Wall/roof/floor sheathing
- I-joist webs
- Packaging
- Furniture substrate
- Formwork
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 0.65 MPa·√m (0.592 ksi·√in), better than 75% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 94% of natural material grades
- Hard to polish — 12/100, worse than 94% of natural material grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 77% of natural material grades
OSB properties
Typical room-temperature values for OSB-OSB/3; bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
OSB has a density of 0.64 g/cm³ (0.0231 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
OSB has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 3.5 GPa (0.508 Msi).
Thermal5
OSB is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 57% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 7 µm/m·K (3.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
OSB has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 77% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of OSB takes about 15 MJ of energy and emits 0.45 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
OSB's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 63% of natural material grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with OSB
Is OSB easy to machine?
Cuts and routs easily with carbide-tipped saws and spiral bits, but resin and grit are abrasive — expect short tool life and heavy dust extraction; score cuts to limit edge chip-out.
Can OSB be welded?
Not weldable; join by nails/staples/screws (edge distance ≥ 8 mm), construction adhesive or PVA/PU glue on faces.
Can OSB be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as flat rigid panel; only mild cold curving over large radii, no thermoforming — panels are hot-pressed at the mill.
OSB chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| PMDI / PF / MUF resin binderPMDI or PF in core/face for OSB/3–4; MUF typical for OSB/2 | 2.5 – 7 | 4.5 |
| paraffin wax emulsionwater-repellent sizing | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| moistureequilibrium MC at 20 °C / 65 % RH | 2 – 9 | 6 |
| wood strands (softwood: pine/poplar/eucaoriented, ~75–150 mm long strands, cross-layered | ≥ 90 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on OSB?
Sand and seal or prime heavily before painting (strand texture and resin telegraph through); edges need sealing against moisture swell, or use factory-coated/T&G panels.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to OSB in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D5456 / EN 300
- GB (China)
- GB/T 22349
- Similar grades
- 300D2718
How much does OSB cost?
OSB is a budget-cost natural material ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
OSB — frequently asked
What is OSB used for?
OSB is typically used for wall/roof/floor sheathing, I-joist webs, packaging, furniture substrate and formwork. In short: lowest-cost structural sheathing; plywood-like shear capacity; abrasive on cutting tools.
What is the tensile strength of OSB?
OSB has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is OSB easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 63% of natural material grades). Cuts and routs easily with carbide-tipped saws and spiral bits, but resin and grit are abrasive — expect short tool life and heavy dust extraction; score cuts to limit edge chip-out.
Can OSB be welded?
Not weldable; join by nails/staples/screws (edge distance ≥ 8 mm), construction adhesive or PVA/PU glue on faces.
What surface finishes work on OSB?
Sand and seal or prime heavily before painting (strand texture and resin telegraph through); edges need sealing against moisture swell, or use factory-coated/T&G panels.
Can OSB be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as flat rigid panel; only mild cold curving over large radii, no thermoforming — panels are hot-pressed at the mill.
What is the maximum service temperature of OSB?
OSB is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does OSB cost?
OSB is a budget-cost natural material ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 300 — Oriented Strand Boards (OSB): definitions, classification and specifications — CEN (2006)
- EN 12369-1 — Characteristic values for wood-based panels: OSB, particleboards and fibreboards — CEN (2001)
- ASTM D2718 — Standard Test Methods for Structural Panels in Planar Shear (Rolling Shear) — ASTM (2018)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (Ch. 11, Wood-Based Composite Materials) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2021)
- Panel Design Specification / OSB Performance Guide — APA – The Engineered Wood Association (2019)
- ISO 10456 / EN 12524 thermal design values for wood-based panels — ISO (2007)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.