What is the Difference? So what is chipboard? ANSI A208.1-2016 Particleboard It is a man-made material which is manufactured from pressing wood chips together and binding them with a synthetic resin. Chipboard (particle board) does not like water, and if used in an area where it will either get wet or there is high humidity, the chances that it will warp and deform are great. Another major problem with particle board is the connection joints. Because particle board is a low density board, screws strip more easily. What is MDF? ANSI A208.2-2016 Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) for Interior Applications The other alternative is MDF also known as medium density fibreboard, which is more expensive than particle board, but it has many advantages over chipboard. MDF is still cheaper than the solid woods, and for this reason is popular in the manufacturing process. With Medium density fibreboard it can be bevelled, chamfered and shaped into more complex and interesting components. Medium density fibreboard is stronger than chipboard because the board has a higher density. The connection joints with medium density fibreboard are more likely to hold then with chipboard. Medium density fibreboard also has a much smoother surface than particle board which allows for a better finish. Kitchen - MDF outperforms chipboard because it is water resistant. When a particleboard is soaked into water, it is probable that it will lose its characteristics in a short time. Where MDF should be used? MDF has the best moisture (water) resistance. Moisture actually means the product is being exposed directly with water. Therefore, using MDF in kitchen cabinets would be the best choice. What happens with moisture .