Oriented strand board. Its an engineered wood product formed by layering strands (flakes) of wood in specific orientations. Compressed and bonded together with wax and resin adhesives (95% wood, 5% wax and resin). Most of the world's OSB is made in the United States and Canada in large production facilities. The largest production facilities can make over a billion square feet of OSB per year. Different qualities in terms of thickness, panel size, strength, and rigidity can be imparted to the OSB by changes in the manufacturing process. OSB panels have no internal gaps or voids, and are water-resistant, although they do require additional membranes to achieve impermeability to water and are not recommended for exterior use. While OSB does not have a continuous grain like a natural wood, it does have a specific axis of strength. This can be seen by observing the alignment of the surface wood chips. The most accurate method for determining the axis of strength is to examine the ink stamps placed on the wood by the manufacturer. All wood-based structural use panels can be cut and installed with the same ease and types of equipment used with solid wood. Some manufacturers may treat the wood chips with various borate compounds which are toxic to termites, wood boring beetles, molds, and fungi, but not mammals in applied doses. Buyers are recommended to seek borate modified wood products for construction, particularly in warm moist climates.
Check this really awesome pictures of OSB prior to pressing.
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