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 2, 2026
RICARDO DE CARVALHO BITTENCOURT, STÉPHANI CAROLINE DE LANA ARÊDES, GABRIEL DE CASTRO BRUMANO, ISABELLE LUISA DA SILVA FERREIRA, GABRIEL MACHADO AUGUSTO, and MARCELO MOREIRA DA COSTA

The Production of Bleached Hardwood Kraft Market Pulp Utilizing Corymbia spp. Wood

Forestry innovation in wood quality seeks to enhance pulp and paper industry performance, particularly in the production of bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP), by reducing operating costs through lower specific wood consumption (SWC) and decreased bleaching chemical demand. In this study, 16 clones of Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp., developed by Aperam BioEnergia Co., were initially evaluated and ranked, with the top six selected for further analysis. The objective was to assess their performance during the bleaching stage of kraft pulping. Pulp quality was determined based on intrinsic viscosity, brightness, and chemical composition. The hybrid ID 3 (Corymbia citriodora × Corymbia torelliana) showed superior performance, achieving 93.0% ISO brightness, 54.8% oxygen delignification efficiency, an S/G ratio of 3.62, and xylan content of 16.4%. It also presented the highest intrinsic viscosity (912.5 dm³/kg), indicating its strong potential for industrial application

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
MONIKA STANKOVSKÁ, ALBERT RUSS, ANDREJ PAŽITNÝ, ŠTEFAN BOHÁČEK, Elena Opálená, and JURAJ KRIŠTA

THE COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION OF FIBRILLATED CELLULOSE FROMDISTILLERY CORN REFUSE USING STEAM EXPLOSION

This study proposes a novel approach involving steam explosion for the production of fibrillated cellulose using distillery refuse as a by-product of bioethanol production. The effect of the steam explosion with or without additional pre-treatment or post-treatment of distillery refuse on lignin and hemicellulose degradation was studied by infrared spectroscopy and fibre length distribution. Partial decomposition of hemicellulose was observed after the use of steam explosion combined with acid-alkali pre-treatment. The process was less effective by using steam explosion, followed by oxidation and bleaching, however, it showed better results in comparison with steam explosion followed by single oxidation. Steam explosion combined with acid-alkali pre-treatment or with oxidation combined with bleaching effectively decomposed lignin. Average arithmetic fibre length after treatment by single steam explosion rapidly decreased but additional treatments no longer caused its further decline. The application of fibrillated cellulose obtained by a single steam explosion on the filter decreased the average pore size. Anchoring of metal salts combined with fibrillated fibres on paper surface was confirmed by SEM-EDS and its ability to act as a barrier against microorganisms was proved.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
YUQI SUN, XUANJIANG LIU, JIANING LI, TONGTONG LI, and HONGHAI LIU

Comparative Study on Characteristics of Vacuum and Conventional Kiln Drying of Non-Pith Heartwood of Rubberwood

This study compared the drying characteristics of non-heartwood rubberwood in vacuum drying (VD) and conventional kiln drying (CKD). The results show that overall, VD had a 21.6% higher drying rate than CKD. Especially below the fibre saturation point (FSP), VD’s rate was 1.56 times that of CKD because the low pressure in VD reduces the bound- water diffusion resistance. An ANOVA test shows that VD had significantly lower uniformity of moisture content (MC) in the longitudinal direction and higher uniformity of MC in the radial direction, especially when the MC drops below the FSP. VD also had significantly lower shrinkage ratios, colour change, and residual stress than CKD (p < 0.05). The greatest differences in shrinkage occurred at 20% MC. Overall, the colour change in VD was 30% lower, and the maximum decrease in the residual stress index in VD was 17.9% at 40% MC. These advantages of VD are likely related to its more uniform internal moisture gradient and low-oxygen environment.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
FRANCIS AKINYELE FARUWA, OLUSOLA OLORUNFEMI, and IYIOLA EBENEZER

APPARENT KINETIC MODELLING OF TORREFACTION BEHAVIOUR AND AXIAL VARIATION IN PINUS CARIBAEA AND LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA UNDER REACTOR-SCALE CONDITIONS

Torrefaction improves the fuel properties of woody biomass. This study investigated kinetics of torrefaction-induced weight loss in Pinus caribaea and Leucaena leucocephala grown in Nigeria, between 225–300°C and axial stem position (top, middle, base). Oven-dried samples (300 g) were torrefied in a fixed-bed reactor under oxygen-limited conditions. Apparent rate constants were derived using a pseudo-first-order Arrhenius model. A total of 72 experimental runs were conducted. The sample weight loss increased with temperature. Pinus caribaea exhibited higher rate constants (0.0136–0.0761 min⁻¹) and lower activation energies (48.6–56.8 kJ.mol⁻¹) compared to Leucaena leucocephala. Axial variation significantly influenced activation energy, with base sections exhibiting 15–22% higher values than top sections. These findings demonstrate that biomass heterogeneity strongly affects reactor-scale torrefaction kinetics and should be considered in feedstock selection, process optimisation, and industrial-scale thermochemical conversion systems.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
SI XU, HAOYANG LI, JIAJIE CHEN, TONGYU XU, ZIYAN LUO, XIANGHE LIU, HAIDI JI, Bin Li, and Yan Yang

The Study on Timber Species used in Wooden Components of the Cultural Heritage Buildings of Shijia Courtyard, Xuzhou City

To clarify the timber species composition of wooden components in the cultural heritage buildings of Shijia Courtyard, and to provide support for the precise protection and restoration of these cultural heritage buildings, timber species were identified through microscopic observation. The results showed that the wooden components adopt typical native tree species including Pinus bungeana, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Acer spp., Populus spp., and Ulmus spp. This finding clarifies the timber species lineage of the building’s wooden components. This study fills the gap in basic research on the timber species used in the wooden components of Shijia Courtyard. It also provides scientific guidance for the restoration of wooden components and the selection of replacement materials in Shijia Courtyard and other similar folk cultural heritage buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
JAKUB BACA and PETER RANTUCH

The influence of gypsum board claddings and fasteners on the thermal degradation of a timber substrate

This article deals with the influence of gypsum board cladding and mechanical fastening on the thermal degradation of a timber substrate exposed to external radiant heat flux. Test specimens consisting of spruce wood protected by either standard gypsum board or fire-rated gypsum board were exposed to a heat flux of 50 kW·m⁻² in a cone calorimeter. Temperature development was monitored using thermocouples placed at the gypsum board–wood interface and inside the timber element within a pre-drilled hole with a diameter of 1 mm. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis of the individual components of the tested assembly was performed. The results indicate that the dehydration of gypsum significantly slows down heat transfer to the timber substrate. Samples protected by fire-rated gypsum board showed a slower temperature increase, lower CO production, and a greater residual thickness of timber compared to samples with standard gypsum board. No significant effect of the screw on temperature development or residual timber thickness was observed.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
IDA SKOTNICOVÁ, KRISTÍNA KYSEĽOVÁ, BRANISLAV NIŽNANSKÝ, LOTA CHRVALOVÁ, Štefan Šutý, and VERONIKA JANČÍKOVÁ

THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF PULP BEATING AND POLYMER ADDITIVES ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND ELASTICITY OF PAPER

The work investigates the possibilities of increasing the elasticity of paper by combining mechanical beating and the addition of some biopolymers directly to the pulp. The novelty of the approach lies in the volumetric modification of the pulp with biopolymers (gelatine, chitosan, PVA, CMC), which were not applied as a surface treatment, but were incorporated into the pulp suspension. The results confirmed that the increase in beating degree (up to 70°SR) and free drying significantly increase the relative elongation of the paper (an increase of 12.4%). The addition of gelatine increased the elasticity by 2.6%, especially at lower beating levels. The key finding is the synergistic effect of the combination of 1% chitosan and 5% CMC, which was the only combination that ensured a simultaneous increase in elasticity and strength (by 3.9 kN/m). This procedure represents an environmentally sustainable alternative for the production of high strength and elastic packaging materials.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
YOSAFAT AJI PRANATA, AMOS SETIADI, OLGA CATHERINA PATTIPAWAEJ, and AAN DARMAWAN HANGKAWIDJAJA

THE Compression Parallel to Grain Stress-Strain Model of TWELVE Tropical Wood Species with specific gravity Range of 0.39 to 0.67 g/cm3

This study aims to propose a compression parallel to grain stress-strain model equation for tropical wood species with a specific gravity range of 0.39 to 0.67 g/cm3. The stress-strain model is compiled from the results of experimental testing of twelve tropical wood species based on empirical data of stress-strain relationship curves from destructive testing. The test uses a reference according to ASTM D143-22. The results of this study are empirical equations for calculating and creating stress-strain relationship curves in the longitudinal direction of wood }compression parallel to grain).

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
LEI YAN, QIANHUI HUO, JINGWEN SHA, LILI YU, SHUGUANG LI, and HUI LI

THE EFFECTS OF INTERFACE MODIFICATION ON THE PROPERTIES OF WASTE WOOD/POLYBUTYLENE SUCCINATE COMPOSITES

In this study, wood-plastic composites were prepared using waste wood powder (WWP) and polybutylene succinate (PBS). Three interfacial modifiers, γ-glycidoxy-propyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), isopropyl tri(dioctylpyrophosphate) titanate (CS201), and maleic anhydride-grafted PBS (MAPBS) were used to modify the interface of the composites and enhance the mechanical properties. The materials were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, three-point bending, and water absorption tests. The results indicated that all three interfacial modifiers were successfully grafted onto the wood powder surface, thereby influencing the mechanical properties. When the mechanical properties of the composites reached their optimal levels, the optimal loading levels of KH560, CS201, and MAPBS were 2%, 1%, and 2%, resp. At this point, compared to the unmodified composite, the elastic modulus increased by 9.44%, 15.03%, and 12.92%, resp; the flexural strength increased by 5.35%, 11.51%, and 8.91%, resp; the water absorption decreased by 4.88%, 3.68%, and 6.21%, resp; and the thickness swelling decreased by 4.56%, 3.08%, and 7.54%, resp.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 2, 2026
HUI LI, HONGXIA CUI, YU LIU, SHU-GUANG LI, JUN JIANG, HAO LYU, HUIJIE ZHANG, YONGQI SHI, and LILI YU

THE EFFECT OF COMPOSITE MODIFIED BORON-BASED WATERBORNE FLAME-RETARDANT COATING ON COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE OF BAMBOO DECORATIVE FILAMENT

To address the flammability of bamboo decorative filament, seven waterborne composite flame-retardant coating systems were developed using waterborne acrylic resin as the film-forming matrix, with boric acid, borax, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), nano-SiO2, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT). The filament was treated as primer-only, topcoat-only, and combined primer/topcoat application. The combustion performance was evaluated by a cone calorimeter following ISO 5660-1: 2002. The results indicated that in the primer-only coating system, the boric acid/borax/disodium octaborate tetrahydrate composite system reduced total smoke production (TSP) by 11.90%, while the total heat release (THR) of the boric acid/borax/disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/ammonium polyphosphate composite system decreased by 18.83%. In the topcoat-only system, the boric acid/borax single-component system exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance, which the peak value of heat release rate (HRR) and the TSP decreased 13.54% and 8.24%, resp. In the combined primer-topcoat systems, THR reductions of 10.99% and 10.21% were achieved. Notably, nano-SiO2/boric acid/borax exhibited superior smoke suppression performance, with a 14.12% decrease in TSP, attributed to the synergistic physical barrier effect between the silicate network formed by nano-SiO2 and the boron-based glassy protective layer

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