Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating discrete pieces of material, particularly pieces of lignocellulosic furnish, to ensure adequate conductance thereof for orientation in an electric field for electrostatic alignment. The furnish is exposed to a conductance-improving substance of substances, such as an alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of weak acid, quaternary ammonium salts, or gases such as ammonia, chlorine, sulfur dioxide, etc. prior to being subjected to the electric field.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine direction and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through spaced charged plates of a high-voltage electrostatic field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed.