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

WoodResearch in Numbers

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

Latest Articles

Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Wood-Plastic Composites Using Recycled Polyethylene

This study evaluates the environmental impact of producing wood plastic composites (WPC) using recycled polyethylene (rPE) compared to virgin polyethylene (PE). The assessment was based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, applying the Leontief model to quantify environmental performance indicators. Two key parameters were analysed: specific CO2 emissions and the amount of waste destined for landfilling. The findings indicate that the incorporation of rPE into WPC production leads to an approximate 2.7-fold reduction in total CO₂ emissions and a tenfold decrease in landfilled waste. Even when accounting for the additional 10% emissions associated with waste collection and sorting, the overall reduction remains above 60%. These findings are consistent with contemporary circular economy strategies and confirm the environmental feasibility of substituting virgin polymers with recycled feedstock.

The Effect of Top Soundboard Thickness on Violin Modal Parameters

This study investigates the impact of top soundboard thickness on the modal parameters of violins. By analysing variations in plate thickness, the research explores how these changes influence modal frequencies, damping characteristics, and overall acoustic properties. Findings indicate that increased thickness results in lower modal frequencies and better damping, which may affect sound quality. The study references established research on violin acoustics and discusses the structural implications of varying plate thicknesses, particularly concerning the effects of string tension. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of violin construction and offer potential guidelines for optimising instrument design to achieve desired tonal qualities.

The Effect of Heartwood Extraction on Kraft Pulp Properties of Acacia mangium and Acacia aulacocarpa Wood

Since heartwood parts generally contain higher levels of extractive, in this study, several extraction methods were carried out as a pre-treatment of Acacia mangium and Acacia aulacocarpa heartwood sawdust, followed by kraft pulping in a micro digester. After extraction, pulp properties from the two species were significantly different. Polar solvent extraction effectively increased pulp yield and decreased kappa number levels, while the successive extraction had less impact. Pulp kappa number significantly increased after n-hexane extraction. Compared to the control samples, pulp brightness of A. aulacocarpa wood for single solvent and successive extraction increased sharply. The overall pulp hexuronic acid content significantly decreased after extraction. Successive extraction led to significantly lower pulp viscosity compared to a single solvent extraction. In general, heartwood extraction significantly increased the pH values of A. aulacocarpa black liquor. Considering pulp properties, this study recommends hot-water extraction for A. mangium and successive extraction (n-hexane and methanol) for A. aulacocarpa

The Extractive Analysis of Resins from Dipterocarpus verrucosus Fowx. E and Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex D. Don

The extractive analysis of D. verrucosus and A. cunninghamii identified key chemical markers in their resins. GC-MS analysis showed that sesquiterpenes, such as β-spathulenol and β-elemene were dominant in the neutral fractions of the two species. Furthermore, diterpenes, especially thunbergol, were found to be dominant in D. verrucosus while absent in A. cunninghamii. In addition, the acidic fractions were primarily composed of fatty and resin acids, mainly palmitic acid (D. verrucosus) and sandaracopimaric acid (A. cunninghamii). The study concludes that the specific combination of sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, and resin acids serves as a chemical fingerprint for the two species.

Aging of Wooden Components in Ancient Timber Structures. Fire Risk and Smoke-Heat Hazards

Based on the aging characteristics of wooden components, this study adopted artificial accelerated aging and fire propagation apparatus (FPA) to examine how aging affects the combustion behaviour, fire risk, and smoke-heat hazards of pine wood commonly used in ancient structures. Wood specimens with dimensions (100×100×10 mm and 300×100×10 mm) matching fire performance tests were prepared, and artificial accelerated photoaging treatment was conducted to obtain aged samples with 0, 60 and 120 aging cycles in accordance with the accelerated aging test protocol for wood materials. The results indicate that pine combustion involves three distinct thermal stages: pyrolysis, smouldering, and flaming, with critical high-risk transition points identified. Aging intensified fire risk and related hazards across all stages, particularly accelerating flame spread on vertical components.

The Effect of Hardeners on the Dry and Wet Bondline Strength of Quebracho Tannin Resin in Three-Layer Plywood

This study investigates the tensile shear strength of maple plywood bond lines bonded with quebracho tannin adhesive, modified using different hardeners: hexamine, paraformaldehyde, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Adhesives were prepared by dispersing tannin powder in water, followed by the incorporation of each hardener, and applied to three-layer veneer panels cured under hot pressing. Bond line performance was evaluated under dry and wet conditions using tensile shear tests, with wet testing incorporating an accelerated cyclic-boil aging protocol. The results revealed that paraformaldehyde-modified tannin adhesives achieved the highest dry strength, 3.5 MPa, significantly exceeding the performance of both other tannin-based systems and synthetic adhesives. In contrast, under wet conditions, no significant differences were observed among tannin-based and synthetic adhesives, underscoring the strong influence of moisture on performance

The Identification of Xylophagous Fungi and Evaluation of Mechanical Damage in Preserved Wood

In this study, seven xylophagous fungi (Trametes; Trichoderma A1; Trichoderma A2; Aspergillus; Paecilomyces; Coniochaeta; Gloeophyllum) were exposed to wood preserved with CCA salts, boric acid, and a polyphenolic extract (ExPol). The results showed a prevalence of xylophagous fungi that affects the use of wood. Changes in physical parameters such as mass are accompanied by changes in mechanical properties; variation in weight losses went from 12.69-20.42 %, 6.13-19.70 % and 6.38-23.68% for CCA, H3BO3 and ExPol respectively. In conclusion, variations in response to the preservatives were shown for each microorganism due the fact that metabolism is not the same because they use the substrate components or polymers in different ways for growth, being Expol the best option to inhibit Trametes, Trichoderma A2 and Aspergillus, there’s not much difference between CCA and H3BO3 for the control of the rest of the organisms but both are better alternative than ExPol to inhibit their growth.

Core-Shell Ag-TiO2@EVA Preparation and Its Application in Wood Anti-Fungal, Anti-Mold and Anti-Decay Research

Using silver-loaded nano-TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) emulsion as raw materials, a core-shell structured Ag-TiO2@EVA composite material was synthesized to impart antimicrobial, mold-proof, and decay-resistant properties to wood. The study investigated the composite material’s efficacy in controlling wood-staining fungi and molds, as well as its decay resistance and antifungal performance. The results showed that when the film thickness was between 0.12 to 0.15 mm with an Ag-TiO2 content of 20% or more, or when the film thickness was between 0.21 to 0.24 mm with an Ag-TiO2 content of 15% or more, the control efficacy against Botryodiplodia theobromae and Aspergillus niger reached 100%, and the decay resistance grade against Poria placenta was level I. For samples with 10% Ag-TiO2 content, the inhibition zone diameters against A. niger and B. theobromae were both greater than 10 mm, while samples with 15% and 20% Ag-TiO2 content exhibited inhibition zones larger than 20 mm, indicating strong antimicrobial effects.

The Comparison of the Effect of UV Irradiation and the Combined Effect of UV Irradiation and Water Leaching on the Color of Grey Poplar

A series of grey poplar (Populus x canescens) samples was irradiated by strong ultraviolet (UV) light emitter mercury lamp, while another series of specimens were treated with the combination of UV irradiation and water leaching. The total duration of UV irradiation for both series of specimens was 20 days. The colour parameters (CIE L*, a*, b*) were measured and evaluated after both UV irradiation and water leaching. Due to the 20 days of UV irradiation, the initial redness value of sapwood increased 2.69 times, while leaching reduced this factor to 1.77. In case of heartwood, the initial redness value increased 1.34-fold due to the 20-day UV exposure, while the leaching reduced this factor to 1.14. These multiplier values are 2.07 and 1.44 for the yellowness of sapwood, as well as 1.57 and 1.29 for the yellowness of heartwood. The leaching partly removed the yellow and red chromophore molecules generated by the UV irradiation. The samples were slightly lighter after water leaching

The Effect of Surface-Densification and Superheated Steam Modification on Impact Resistance and Surface Properties of Rubberwood

Employing rapid surface loading (160°C, 10 s) during hot pressing can elevate the peak density of the wood’s surface, thus augmenting its rigidity and impact resistance capabilities. Subsequently treatment with superheated steam (190°C, 1.5 h). The findings of the study indicate that the impact resistance of the modified rubberwood increased by 29.2% compared to the untreated control samples. Remarkably, it even surpassed that of Fraxinus mandshurica, a premium quality hard wood species. Moreover, the wood’s colour has transformed into a purple brown hue, endowing it with a more aesthetically pleasing and refined appearance. Additionally, the paint film on the wood’s surface exhibits strong adhesion, meeting the requirements of Grade 1 as stipulated by the national standard. This combined modification method effectively enhances the overall performance of rubberwood.