Automotive Hardboard
Premium Georgia-Pacific Superwood® hardboard excels in automotive interior applications including door inserts, rear shelves, visors, seat foundations, load floors, head rest inserts, trunk trim, spare tire covers, quarter trim panels and headliners.
Contact us for more information about Superwood® automotive hardboard:
- Sales and Marketing: 248-465-1660
- Technical Information: 218-720-8253
- Low cost - Less expensive than other plastics and composite materials used for interior hard trim applications
- High strength and stiffness - Superior flexural strength and stiffness over a wide range of temperatures; used in a sandwich construction with a low-density core, provides a strong, lightweight option for load bearing applications
- Good dimensional stability - Better dimensional stability than many plastic materials in typical vehicle compartment conditions
- Effective sound barrier - Good choice for passenger area sound blocking applications; combined with a sound absorption material, creates a first-rate acoustic package
- Excellent bonding for coverings and finishes - Superb surface for painting, bonding, laminating and coating applications, dielectric and vacuum-covering operations
Download MSDS: #31A: Wood and Wood Products (PDF: 68KB/9pgs)
Carpet-Covered, Hinged Spare Tire Cover
Spare Tire Cover
Spare Tire Cover - Foam Core Sandwich Panel
Trunk Floor Panel
Cargo Load Floor - Foam Core Sandwich Panel
Cargo Storage Load Floor/Storage Lid - Top
Cargo Storage Load Floor/Storage Lid - Bottom
Sandwich Panel - Foam Core
Sandwich Panel - Close-Up
Stowage Cover
Formed Seat Back
Formed Rear Seatback
Carpet-Covered Seatback - Front View
Carpet-Covered Seatback - Back View
Third Row Seat Back
Flipper Panel - Phillips
Painted Headliner
Package Tray - Back View
Package Tray - Front View
Fabric-Covered Door Bolster - Back View
Fabric-Covered Door Bolster - Front View
Vinyl-Covered Door Bolster - Back View
Vinyl-Covered Door Bolster - Front View
Door Panel
Rear Corner Trim Panel
Formed Seat Back - Covered (1)
Formed Seat Back - Covered (2)
Second Row Flipper Panel - Hinged
Vinyl Covered Die-Cut Seat Back
Hinged and Carpeted Die-Cut Seat Back
Decorative Painted Options for Die-Cut Tire Covers or Cargo Load Floors (Underside)
Formed Front Row Seat Back
Composite Formed and Die-Cut Seat Back
Visor
Visor - Uncovered
Plastic Fastners (1)
Plastic Fastners (2)
Metal Rosette Fastners
Automotive Hardboard Product Specification List for Vehicle Manufacturers
(as of 11/05/2007)
The Georgia-Pacific Duluth Testing Laboratory tests products to the following specifications:
- Chrysler MSLD 1-4
- Ford ESB-M2E66-B
- GM 2209M
- Hyundai MS 361-10
- Mitsubishi ES-X82310
- Nissan M7078
- Subaru TS 345-1-9
- Toyota TSL 3503G
In addition, product flammability is tested according to the following test methods:
- GM 9070P
- Honda HES C 206-99A
- Mitsubishi ES-X60410
- Nissan M0094
- Toyota TSM0500G
- FMVSS 302
Download Product Specification List for Vehicle Manufacturers (PDF: 54KB/1pg).
Upon request, we will test a specific product to a specific vehicle manufacturer.
The Georgia-Pacific Duluth Testing Laboratory is accredited by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), certificate number 855.01. The Scope of Accreditation for the laboratory can be found at www.A2LA.org.
Automotive Extended Manufacturing Enterprise Supporting the North American Automotive Market
These suppliers are experienced users of Georgia-Pacific automotive hardboard substrates.
Article Suppliers
I. Forming/Molders Manufacturers
CNI, Inc. - Madison Heights, MI
Gemini Group/Valley Enterprises - Ubly, MI
Global Enterprises - Chesterfield, MI
Quality Converters, Inc. - Orland, IN
II. Die Cut Suppliers
CNI, Inc. - Madison Heights, MI
Commonwealth Regal - Tecumseh, ON
Dienetics - Jenison, MI
Fultz Manufacturing Inc. – Traverse City, MI
Gemini Group/Valley Enterprises - Ubly, MI
Global Enterprises - Chesterfield, MI
Industry Products Company - Piqua, OH
K. Wm. Beach Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Springfield, OH
KeYah International - Springfield, OH
Quality Converters, Inc. - Orland, IN
III. Routing
Gemini Group/Valley Enterprises - Ubly, MI
Quality Converters, Inc. - Orland, IN
Supplemental Technology Manufacturers for Various Processes of Georgia-Pacific Hardboard and Components
I. Adhesives
Chemical Technology Inc. - Detroit, MI
II. Coatings
Chemical Technology Inc. - Detroit, MI
The DECC Company, Inc. - Grand Rapids, MI
III. Fasteners
ITW Engineered Fastners - Troy, MI
Northern Stampings, Inc. - Chesterfield, MI
IV. Molds for Forming Georgia-Pacific Hardboard
Keener Tool & Engineering, Inc. - Eastpointe, MI
V. NVH Testing and Engineering Laboratory
Roush Industries, Inc. Livonia, MI
VI. Painter of Georgia-Pacific Hardboard Components
Proto-Crafts, Inc. - Deckerville, MI
VII. Processing Equipment
Keener Tool & Engineering, Inc. (Molding Presses and related forming equipment to process hardboard) - East Pointe, MI
VIII. Sandwich Panel Core Material Suppliers
BASF Corporation - Wyandotte, MI
Dayton Polymeric Products, LLC
Tricel Corporation - Gurnee, IL
IX. Tooling for Die Cutting
Accurate Steel Rule Die, Inc. - Auburn Hills, MI
AC Steel Rule Die - Madison Heights, MI
Bernal Inc. - Auburn Hills, MI
Dienetics Jenison, MI
| Property | Hardboard - Wet Process | Hardboard - Dry Process | |
| Maximum board thickness that can be formed | 3.9mm | NA | |
| Maximum Draw / Bending Depths | At edge of part or if cutout gives relief | 30mm | NA |
| Around outside corner of part | 15mm | ||
| Internal to part | 5mm | ||
| One direction bend | 150mm+ | ||
| Minimum Draft Angle | At edge of part | 1° | NA |
| Internal to part | 10° | ||
| One direction bend | 1° - 10° depending on depth and location | ||
| Minimum Outside Radius | 5 x material thick | NA | |
| Molded Return Flange | Yes | No | |
| Score & Bend | No | No | |
| Trimming Method | – Steel rule die cut
– In-mold (bypass shear or pinch trim) – Secondary trim tool – Water jet – Laser |
– Steel rule die cut on 3.2mm thick or less
– Router – Secondary trim tool – Water jet – Laser | |
| Fastener Attachment | – Staked-on
– In-mold – Riveted – Keyhole slot – Bonded / Glued |
– Staked-on
– Riveted – Keyhole slot – Bonded / Glued | |
| Integral color | Natural | Natural | |
| Pre-applied finishes | Paint & Coatings | Various options | Various options |
| Wood and metal grain | Various options | ||
| Overlay | Opaque | ||
| In-mold finishes | Embossing / Graining | Yes | NA |
| Overlays | Yes | ||
| Adhesive compatibility | Solvent base | Yes | Yes |
| Water base | Yes | Yes | |
| Pressure sensitive | Yes | Yes | |
| Hot melt | Yes | Yes | |
| Heat activated | Yes | Yes | |
| Covering options / processes | Paint | Yes | Yes |
| Carpet / Fabric | Yes | Yes | |
| Vacuum-formed | Yes (porous material) | Yes (porous material) | |
| Dielectric bonded | Yes | Yes | |
| Edge fold | Yes | Yes | |
| Molded to multiple thickness and density in same part | No | NA | |
| Property | Hardboard - Wet Process (Typical for 3.2mm board) |
Hardboard - Dry Process (Typical for 5.6mm board) | |
| Nominal Density (gm/cm3) | 0.96 - 0.99 | 1.10 | |
| Flexural Strength (MOR) - ASTM D1037 | (Mpa) | 35 - 41 | 48 - 56 |
| (psi) | 5,000 - 6,000 | 7,000 - 8,000 | |
| Flexural Stiffness (MOE) - ASTM D1037 | (Mpa) | 3,100 - 3,800 | 4,900 |
| (psi) | 450,000 - 550,000 | 700,000 | |
| Tensile Strength - ASTM D 1037 | (Mpa) | 26 | |
| (psi) | 3,800 | ||
| Burst - SAE J315 | (Mpa) | 3.6 | |
| (psi) | 520 | ||
| Moisture Content - SAE J315 (%) | 4 - 5 | 4 - 5 | |
| Dimensional Stability (%) | Expansion1 (38°C, 98% RH) | 0.25 | |
| Expansion2 (24 hr H2O soak) | 0.30 | ||
| Contraction3 (88°C, 24 hr) | 0.30 | ||
| Water Absorption, 24 hr - SAE J315 (%) | 25 | 15 | |
| Thickness Swell, 24 hr - SAE J315 (%) | 20 | 10 | |
| Flammability FMVSS 302 (mm/min) | 20 | 0 | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (10-6 /C°) | 6.8 | 6.8 | |
| 1 SAE J315 Method A 2 SAE J315 Method B 3 SAE J315 Method C - following expansion method A Download Automotive Hardboard Wet Performance Properties Chart (PDF: 72KB/2pgs). | |||
| Production Facility | Board Type | Master Sheet Sizes Trimmed - Untrimmed | |
| Duluth, MN | S1S | 48" x 192" | 51-3/8" x 195" |
| Duluth, MN | S1S | 66" x 192" | 68-1/2" x 195" |
| Phillips, WI | S2S | 48" x 96" | 49-3/8" x 98-1/2" |
- S1S - Smooth surface, screen back, wet process
- S2S - Smooth surface and back, dry process
- Master sheet sizes can be cut-to-size. See Cut-To-Size below for details.
- Untrimmed master sheet has rough, uncut edges. Board properties are not guaranteed beyond the trimmed board dimensions.
Unsanded Board
| Nominal Thickness | Location | |
| 2.5 mm | (0.100 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 3.2 mm | (0.125 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 3.9 mm | (0.155 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 4.7 mm | (0.185 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 5.6 mm | (0.220 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 6.0 mm | (0.235 in) | Duluth, Phillips |
| 7.0 mm | (0.275 in) | Duluth |
| Thickness Tolerance = +/- 0.5 mm (+/- 0.020 in | ||
- Unsanded board is not suitable for applications that require tight thickness tolerances or a blemish free screen side.
- For products less than 2.5 mm, the board must be sanded.
- Thickness tolerance is defined as any individual point on a panel. The measuring device and technique are described in SAE J315.
Sanded Board
| Location | Range of sanded thicknesses available |
| Duluth | 1.5 mm (0.060") to 6.4 mm (0.250") |
| Phillips | Can be sanded at Duluth |
| Thickness Tolerance = +/- 0.13mm (+/- 0.005 in) | |
- Caliper sanding - For applications that require tight thickness tolerance, but can tolerate screen side appearance variations and blemishes
- Full screen removal sanding - For applications that require tight thickness tolerance and a uniform blemish-free screen side
Cut-To-Size
| Location | Minimum Size | Dimensional Tolerance | "Squareness" |
| Duluth | 12" x 12" minimum, up to master sheet size | +/- 1.60 mm (1/16") | 3.2 mm (1/8") |
| Phillips | 24" x 48", 32" x 48", 48" x 48", 48" x 96" | +/- 1.60 mm (1/16") | 3.2 mm (1/8") |
Finishing Options
- Duluth - overlays, roll coat various coatings and adhesives, printing
- Phillips - roll coat, printing, curtain coat
Product Specific Gravity
- Duluth - 0.98
- Phillips - 1.02
Product Weight*
| Weight | Duluth kg/m2 (lb/ft2) |
Phillips kg/m2 (lb/ft2) |
| 1.5 mm (0.060 in) | 1.5 (0.31) | - |
| 2.0 mm (0.080 in) | 2.0 (0.41) | - |
| 2.5 mm (0.100 in) | 2.5 (0.51) | 2.8 (0.58) |
| 3.2 mm (0.125 in) | 3.1 (0.64) | 3.6 (0.73) |
| 3.9 mm (0.155 in) | 3.9 (0.79) | 4.4 (0.90) |
| 4.7 mm (0.185 in) | 4.6 (0.94) | 5.3 (1.08) |
| 5.6 mm (0.220 in) | 5.5 (1.12) | 6.3 (1.28) |
| 6.0 mm (0.235 in) | 5.8 (1.20) | 6.7 (1.37) |
| 7.0 mm (0.275 in) | 6.8 (1.40) | - |
Use of Natural Products
- Superwood® automotive hardboard contains more than 97% natural fiber... compare that to any other material used for interior trim applications.
- In wet process hardboard manufacture, synthetic additives are kept to a bare minimum. The naturally occurring wood components are used to bond fibers together under heat and pressure. The result is a strong and stable product that is as natural as you can get.
- The natural fibers primarily come from forest residue, waste materials and recycled materials.
- Forest residue - waste material that is leftover from logging operations such as tree tops and branches
- Industrial waste - waste and rejected material from wood processing plants, recycled board, recycled pallets
Internal Recycle and Utilization of Raw Materials
- Process wastewater containing dissolved wood sugars is concentrated by evaporation to create 10,000 tons per year of wood molasses. This material is used as an adjunct for cattle feed.
- Trim waste, sander dust, and wood chip screenings are used as fuel to generate 50% (280 billion BTU per year) of the energy needed to make the hardboard product.
- Wood ash from generating energy is used as a soil amendment (750 tons per year) by area farmers. This program is managed by the Agricultural Extension Service.
- Bark, wood fines and dirt are reclaimed from the chip washing process and converted into compost at a rate of 2,000 tons per year.
Customer Recycling and Uses of Board Processing Waste
- Fuel for generating energy
- Landscaping / mulch products
- Livestock bedding