Effects of heat-treatment on bonding performance of Betula alnoides
Heat-treatment woods of Betula alnoides were prepared by using vapor as the heat-conducting medium. Effects of heat-treatment time and heat-treatment temperature on equilibrium moisture content, density, pH value, contact angle and bonding performance of Betula alnoides were discussed in this paper. The results indicated that: (1) With the increase of heat-treatment temperature, the equilibrium moisture content, density and pH value of Betula alnoides decreased gradually. (2) With the increase of heat-treatment temperature, the contact angle of Betula alnoides increased from 70.08° to about 100°, resulting in the reduction of bonding strength gradually. Bonding strength of Betula alnoides after heat-treatment was related with the used adhesive. Bonding strength of different adhesives decreased to different extents. The bonding strength of Betula alnoides wood with polyvinyl acetate (PVAC) resin was generally higher than that of melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin. The former were 6.35-4.56 MPa, and the latter were 5.60-3.00 MPa. (3) Heat-treatment time influenced equilibrium moisture content, density, contact angle, pH value and bonding strength of Betula alnoides less than heat-treatment temperature. (4) Heat-treatment could affect strength and surface performance of Betula alnoides greatly and the processing medium should be extended.