FIELD: manufacture of plates of composite material. SUBSTANCE: the plates of composite wood material are manufactured of wood fiber treated by slowly hardened low-alkali phenol-formaldehyde polymer. The wood fiber treated by polymer is condensed and hardened in a press with the use of steam injection. Due to the fact that polymer is slowly hardened, its premature hardening is prevented. The press using steam injection accelerates the hardening in such a way that the plates may be manufactured in the course of the pressing cycle compared with hardening of wood fiber treated by other polymers in a press without steam injection. EFFECT: enhanced strength of internal ties, stability of sizes, durability. 14 cl, 1 tbl
