About the Journal

This journal is covered by Thomson Reuters Materials Science Citation Index ExpandedTM,CAB Internacional Abstracting Services and Scopus.

Wood Research publishes original papers aimed at recent advances in all branches of wood science (biology, chemistry, wood physics and mechanics, mechanical and chemical processing etc.). Submission of the manuscript implies that it has not been published before and it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

e-ISSN 2729-8906
ISSN 1336-4561

Editors

Monika STANKOVSKÁ

Editor

Pulp and Paper Research Institute,
Dúbravská cesta 14, SK-841 04 Bratislava,
Slovak Republic

Štefan ŠTELLER

Editor

Slovak Forest Products Research Institute,
Dúbravská cesta 14, SK-841 04 Bratislava,
Slovak Republic

Vladimír IHNÁT

Associate Editor

Slovak Forest Products Research Institute,
Dúbravská cesta 14, SK-841 04 Bratislava,
Slovak Republic

Indexing & Ranking

WoodResearch in Numbers

70
Years of Publication
5717
Number of Papers
650
Number of Authors Origin

Latest Articles

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 3, 2026
QIANHUI HUO, LEI YAN, LILI YU, HUI LI, Jun Li, and SHU-GUANG LI

THE EFFECTS OF INTERFACIAL MODIFICATIONS ON THE PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO FIBER /WASTE TETRA PAK /PLA COMPOSITES

In this study, BF/TP/PLA ternary composite was constructed utilizing bamboo fiber (BF) as the reinforcing phase and waste Tetra Pak (TP) along with polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix. The effects of different interfacial modification methods on the properties of the composites were systematically investigated. Bamboo fibers were modified using a silane coupling agent (KH570), nano-SiO2, and compatibilizers (MAH-g-PLA, MAH-g-PE). The composites were subsequently fabricated via hot pressing, and their mechanical properties, water absorption, chemical structure, and micromorphology were characterized. The results showed that after KH570 treatment, the flexural modulus and flexural strength of the composites increased by 15% and 32%, respectively. Following the introduction of compatibilizers, the water absorption was further reduced, and the thickness swelling rate was significantly improved. Optimal comprehensive performance was achieved at a nano-SiO2 content of 1 wt%; the flexural modulus reached 2524.1 MPa, exceeding the requirement of Chinese standard LY/T 3275-2021 for outdoor wood-plastic composites (≥2500 MPa), while the water absorption decreased to its lowest value (11.3%). Furthermore, interfacial bonding became more compact.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 3, 2026
SÜHEYLA ESİN KÖKSAL, ORHAN KELLECİ, and YASEMİN ÖZTÜRK

Surface Preparation for Lamination of OSB with Phenol Formaldehyde Film and Melamine Formaldehyde Decorative Paper

This study investigated the lamination of oriented strand board (OSB) surfaces using phenol formaldehyde impregnated polymer film (PF) and melamine formaldehyde impregnated decorative paper (MF). To enhance surface smoothness, OSB panels were sanded and treated with different putty systems, including commercial wood putty, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Ground hazelnut shell and furnace slag particles were incorporated as fillers at a 10% loading level. Results revealed that PF film laminated samples demonstrated significantly superior physical and mechanical performance compared to MF laminated boards. Among all specimens, the sample, prepared exclusively with wood putty and laminated with PF film, achieved the best overall performance, exhibiting the lowest water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) alongside the highest modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), abrasion resistance, and surface soundness (SS) values. Although hazelnut shell and furnace slag additions generally reduced putty system performance, their incorporation into PVAc and PVA-based formulations improved certain surface properties.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 3, 2026
SAIP NAMI KARTAL, EKİM ELÇİN SOYTÜRK, YUKO ITO, and WAKAKO OHMURA

Preliminary Evaluation of Copper Leaching from Commercially Available Wood Species in Japan Treated with Copper Azole Wood Preservative

This study examined copper fixation and leaching in wood treated with copper azole (CuAz) and copper sulfate (CuSO₄), emphasizing the effects of wood species and post-treatment conditions. Five Japanese softwoods, including Sugi, Hinoki, and Douglas fir, were assessed under three conditions: unfixed, ambient-fixed, and heat-treated (60°C for 3 days). Copper fixation was defined as the proportion of non-leachable copper remaining after standardized leaching, with release rates measured via leachate analysis. Results showed that post-treatment condition is the dominant factor controlling copper stabilization. Heat treatment significantly enhanced fixation and reduced leaching across all species and preservative types, indicating improved bonding between copper ions and wood components. Ambient fixation was often insufficient. Sugi sapwood showed the highest leaching, while Hinoki heartwood exhibited the greatest retention. Overall, CuAz outperformed CuSO₄, underscoring the importance of formulation in improving copper stability and durability.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 3, 2026
DOAN VAN DUONG and MASUMI HASEGAWA

VARIATION IN BASIC DENSITY AND TRANSVERSE SHRINKAGE AMONG SIX EUCALYPTUS CLONES PLANTED IN VIETNAM

This study examined clonal and radial variation in basic density (BD) and transverse shrinkage among six Eucalyptus clones grown under uniform conditions in north-central Vietnam. A total of 30 ramets were sampled, and 196 small clear specimens were prepared from positions near the pith and the bark. Partial and total shrinkage in tangential (Tn, T) and radial (Rn, R) directions were determined following ISO 13061-13:2017. Basic density (BD) ranged from 0.39 to 0.50 g/cm³ and increased consistently from pith to bark. Tangential shrinkage (Tn: 4.45–5.83%; T: 5.64–6.85%) showed greater variation among clones than radial shrinkage (Rn: 2.95–3.32%; R: 3.89–4.72%). Clone U1427 showed the highest BD while also presenting the lowest shrinkage values, suggesting excellent dimensional stability and considerable potential for utilization in solid wood and lumber production in northern Vietnam.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 3, 2026
FIRDUS HAVERAJ, GERTI XHIXHA, and Dritan Ajdinaj

Short notes. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THERMAL MODIFICATION PARAMETERS ON THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF DIFFERENTWOOD COMPOSITE PANELS

This study examined how thermal modification influenced the thermal conductivity of plywood, oriented strand board, and medium-density fiberboard. Samples were exposed to two temperature levels, 130°C and 180°C, for 20 and 40 min, while untreated panels were retained as controls. Measurements were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions using the steady-state hot-box method. The thermal modification consistently reduced thermal conductivity across all materials, which suggests improved insulation properties. The observed reductions varied. OSB exhibited the most significant overall decrease in thermal conductivity, while plywood displayed relative stability; conversely, MDF demonstrated a marked reaction under the more rigorous treatment conditions. The type of material used had the most significant overall statistical effect. The duration of the treatment was more important than the temperature. The interaction between temperature and time did not achieve statistical significance within the parameters of the experiment; conversely, interactions involving material type were significant.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
YUNJING LU, SHILIN XU, and ZIWEI LI

The Study on inhibition and regulation of spruce mannan on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

Mannan is the main hemicellulose in coniferous wood. Spruce mannan was extracted and characterized by FT-IR, SEM and specific surface area test. FT-IR showed it was branched galactoglucomannan; SEM revealed its layered surface and rod-like polymerization units with spherical tops at high magnification; it had small specific surface area and large pore size. Hydrolysis experiments showed spruce mannan inhibited commercial second-generation cellulase (max inhibition rate 22.22%), with inhibition related to hydrolysis time, enzyme dosage and mannan amount. Tween 80 alleviated this inhibition (min inhibition rate 8.69%), promoted β-glucosidase at high concentration (max promotion rate 28.57%), and greatly reduced mannan’s hydrolysis effect (inhibition rate down to 31.82%). This study provides a basis for improving mannan utilization and biomass energy conversion.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
Martina Hladová, JOZEF MARTINKA, PETER RANTUCH, LENKA BLINOVÁ, PETER GOGOLA, IGOR WACHTER, TOMÁŠ ŠTEFKO, and GEORGE I. MANTANIS

In situ synthesis of Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxides in wood: a novel approach for Enhanced fire performance

This study presents a modified approach for enhancing the fire performance of white poplar wood (Populus alba L.) through the in situ formation of MgAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) within the wood structure. The treated wood exhibited significantly improved fire properties. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 19% to 45%, while cone calorimetry results showed reductions of approximately 65% in peak heat release rate (HRR), 58% in total heat release (THR), 80% in maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE), and 80% in total smoke production (TSP) compared to untreated poplar wood. The enhanced fire performance is attributed to the formation of a protective char layer and the presence of inorganic residues derived from LDH decomposition, which influences the thermal degradation and combustion behaviour of the wood. The results demonstrate that this simple modification approach provides an effective method for improving the fire performance and smoke suppression properties of fast-growing wood species.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
JÁN BRODNIANSKY, SILVIA MARTINKOVIČOVÁ, Jaroslav Sandanus, TOMÁŠ KLAS, JIŘÍ KUNECKÝ, JIŘÍ BLÁHA, and MICHAL KLOIBER

THE EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A MODEL OF A HISTORICAL-TYPE TIMBER ROOF SEGMENT UNDER PROGRESSIVE TIE-BEAM WEAKENING

This paper reports on an experimental study of a model of a historical timber roof segment subjected to progressive weakening of the central tie beam. A three-frame specimen was tested under controlled loading, short-term sustained full load, and sequential cutting of the middle tie beam. Close-range photogrammetry was combined with inductive displacement sensors and conventional control measurements. The study examined the agreement of optical and contact measurements, redistribution of displacement demand to the adjacent frames, and the temporary residual stability provided by lathing after complete failure of the middle tie beam. Across the tie-beam midspans, the mean absolute difference between inductive and paired optical measurements ranged from 0.07 to 0.40 mm, with a maximum point-wise deviation of 1.39 mm. After complete failure, additional settlement of the two intact frames reached 4.28 and 3.97 mm relative to the pre-cut full-load state, indicating longitudinal redistribution through the lathing.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
NIRANJAN KANNANGARA, WASUNDARA INDUMINI, OKDCP MUTHUMALI, CHAMINDA MUTHUMALA, and FAIZ MARIKAR

The Treatability of Selected Local Timber Species with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) Preservative: Correlating Wood Anatomy, Physical Properties, and Preservative Performance

This study evaluated the ACQ treatability of 24 local timber species through vacuum pressure impregnation and correlated preservative retention and penetration with physical and anatomical wood properties. Retention ranged widely from 0.478 kg m⁻³ (Bridelia retusa) to 14.980 kg m⁻³ (Cullenia ceylonica and Cupressus macrocarpa). Based on retention and Chrome Azurol S (CAS) penetration assessment, species were classified into four treatability classes. One-way ANOVA confirmed highly significant differences in density (F₂₃,₄₈=199.79; p<0.001), moisture content (F₂₃,₄₈=48.04; p<0.001), and ACQ retention (F₂₃,₄₈=82.75; p<0.001) across species. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a very strong positive relationship between fibre wall thickness and wood density (r=0.955; p<0.05) and a strong negative relationship between fibre lumen diameter and density (r= −0.903; p=0.001), demonstrating that fibre morphology is the dominant determinant of wood density. Neither density (r= −0.411; p=0.163), moisture content (r = 0.005; p = 0.987), total ray area (r=0.097; p=0.789), total vessel area (r= −0.021; p=0.932), fibre wall thickness (r=0.082; p=0.725), nor fibre lumen diameter (r=0.302; p=0.183) produced statistically significant correlations with ACQ retention, indicating that preservative uptake is governed by the combined interactive influence of multiple anatomical and chemical wood properties rather than any single parameter. Cullenia ceylonica, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Ficus amplissima were identified as the most effectively treatable species, classified as very easy to treat (Class 4, retention >10 kg m⁻³) with full penetration exceeding 25 mm. These findings provide a species-specific treatability database for Sri Lankan timber and highlight the need for multi-variable modelling in future preservative research.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
HONGWEI FAN, MIN LI, XINWEI TU, and LIN YANG

RESEARCH PROGRESS IN SILICIFICATION MODIFICATION OF WOOD. REVIEW

Wood is prone to decay, flammability and poor dimensional stability, which restrict its high-value application in furniture manufacturing, architectural decoration and other fields. As an advanced wood modification technology, wood silicification modification can significantly improve wood properties by impregnating silicon-based precursors into the interior of wood and forming SiO2 in situ. This paper reviews the latest research progress of wood silicification modification, elaborates on the structural characteristics of two types of silicon sources (organic and inorganic), sorts out the key points of current mainstream silicification processes, and analyses the improvement effects of wood silicification modification on wood properties such as dimensional stability, decay resistance and flame retardancy. It is proposed that future research is going to focus on the development of green and efficient new technologies and the exploration of organic-inorganic interface regulation mechanisms, aiming to develop multi-functional intelligent silicified wood.

Read more articles