EXPRESSION PROBLEMS OF SCREW WITHDRAWAL CAPACITY USED IN FURNITURE ECCENTRIC JOINTS

Many different insert fittings (screws, screws with plastic or metal sockets, metal or plastic cam fittings etc.) are used to connect MDF and particleboards in ready-to-assemble case furniture. According to EN 13446:2002 the withdrawal capacity of fasteners must be determined in Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm 2 ). Research reported here indicates that face withdrawal strengths of the different insert fittings tested expressed in N/mm 2 do not correspond to the maximum loads which are practically of the main importance for the furniture construction. Furthermore, the expression of fasteners withdrawal capacity in N/mm 2 does not help the performance comparison of different insert fittings. It is concluded that the absolute value of the maximum load applied can express clearly the actual withdrawal capacity of these fasteners.