Articles

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Chao Deng, Yang Liu, Junxian Xu, Xiangyu Li, Mingyu Wen, Xixin Duan, and Heejun Park

Fire retardant performance of sugi and hinoki treated with phosphorus and nitrogen fire retardant

In this paper, ammonium phosphate polymer (APP), guanidinium phosphate urea (GUP), phosphonic acid, and a small number of additives that confer flame retardant properties were prepared as a new composite flame retardant. Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtuse) penetrate and absorb the solution into the inner wall of the wood by vacuum pressurization, thus obtaining fire-retardant woods. The flame retardant effects at different absorption amounts were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry. The absorption amounts of both kinds of wood above 0.095 g.cm-3 and 0.085 g.cm-3 respectively, met the flame retardant standard ISO-5660-1: 2015. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the fire-retardant-treated wood increased thermal stability, accelerated carbonization, and lower the decomposition temperature to below 300°C.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Boháček Štefan, Pažitný Andrej, and Michaela Handlovská

Intensification of the freeze-thaw pretreatment of disintegrated poplar wood

This research was focused on the effect of water content in the cells of disintegrated Populus nigra L. on a freeze-thaw pretreatment method before an enzymatic hydrolysis. Two chipped and sieved fractions 2.5 mm and 0.7 mm and two milled fractions, characterized as 18°SR (Shopper–Riegler index) and 37°SR, of the disintegrated 5 years old poplar tree were used for our experiment. Glucose and xylose yields were measured after 24 and 48 hours of enzymatic hydrolysis with a 15% load of the enzyme measured to a total cellulose content. The influence of nine freeze-thaw cycles under -20°C and +20°C was considered. The results showed that an increase in moisture content positively affects yields in all fractions but a desirable result was achieved mainly for the 0.7 mm fraction where the total yield increased by about 16%. More effective way is a finer wet beating of wood mass, while wood fibre receives moisture already in the technological process. The highest glucan conversion 51,74% and the total hemicelluloses conversion 47,72% was achieved for the finest fraction 37°SR. The higher moisture content has a positive effect on the increase in the conversion of oligosaccharides, especially glucan, in chipped fractions.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
GEZHOU QIN, MING LI, SAIYIN FANG, TINGTING DENG, Changlin Huang, Zhouling Yang, FEILONG MAO, and YUE ZHAO

Study on the dispersion characteristics of wood acoustic emission signal based on wavelet decomposition

Artificial AE sources were generated on the surfaces of Ulmus pumila, Zelkova schneideriana, Cunninghamia lanceolata, and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. specimens. The AE transverse wave signal was decomposed into 3-layers detail signals by wavelet decomposition and reconstructed, and it was calculated based on correlation analysis. Then the longitudinal wave speed was calculated according to the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) method, and the wood dispersion phenomenon was studied. The results showed that the dispersion phenomenon of Ulmus pumila was obvious. The propagation speed of high-frequency signal was 2.38 times that of low-frequency signal. The ratio of high and low frequency propagation speed of soft wood was 1.72 and 1.73. The dispersion degree of Zelkova schneideriana was the weakest, and the propagation speed of the high frequency was 1.25 times of the low one. The ratios of longitudinal and transverse wave speeds of the four specimens were 4.59, 4.07, 4.24 and 4.2, respectively.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Guan Shili, Liang Youzhen, Wang Jun, Lu Lixin, and Hou Xue

Modelling for single-wall corrugated fibreboard with a trapezoidal core under the quasi-static edgewise crushing load

In this paper, the energy absorption of single-wall corrugated fibreboard with a trapezoidal core under edgewise crushing load was studied experimentally and analytically, and a physical surface bonding was assumed to represent the interaction between the fluted board and the linerboard based on the production process of corrugated fibreboards. A new folding element was proposed, including two boards and two trapezoidal corrugated cores with central symmetry. Moreover, three folding modes of the fluted board were proposed based on experimental phenomena, and a plateau stress model was characterized by the geometry parameters of the corrugated fibreboard. It was found that the plateau stress predicted by the developed model compared well with the experimental results, from which one can conclude that the proposed model was effective and helpful for corrugated structures design and parameters selection to meet different strength requirements.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Ondřej Dvořák, Miloš Pánek, Monika Sarvašová Kvietková, Filip Pastierovič, Irena Štěrbová, Kryštof Kubista, and Lukáš Sahula

Influence of wood species on quality of exterior transparent acrylic coating during outdoor exposure

Coating systems are a popular way to protect wood against the effects of weathering when used outdoors. This study evaluates the impact of the basic wood species on the overall durability and color fastness of the selected water-based acrylic exterior paint. Spruce (Picea abies L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.) wood samples were subjected to external weathering according to EN 927-3 (2000) for 6 and 12 months. The evaluation by instrumental methods related to co changes in color, gloss, surface wettability contact angle, at which paint damage was also visually evaluated. The results showed that the durability of the tested coating was higher for spruce. Still, on the other hand, thanks to its lighter shade, a significant color change caused by the base wood’s photodegradation was detected, showing that oak wood has a negative effect on the overall life of the tested coating.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Matúš Neusch, Jaroslav Sandanus, and Klara Freudenberger

Experimental verification of the modern semi-rigid timber connections

The paper deals with theoretical and experimental research of the timber connections using modern timber connectors Rothoblaas Alumidi. These connectors allow for semi-rigid behaviour of the connections. The paper describes the theoretical background of semi-rigid connections, explains the methods used in the numerical analysis and the design of test connections. The thesis continues with the experimental verification of the designed specimens. The experimental results are compared with the numerical analysis. The findings obtained from the experiment and recommendations for practice are summarized in the conclusion.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Jamaludin Malik, Erlina Nurul Aini, Deazy Rachmi Trisatya, Sona Suhartana, IMAM WAHYUDI, and Sarah Augustina

Dimensional stability and durability of hybrid sandwich panel made from oil palm lumber, sengon and gmelina with boron-alum impregnation

In this study, sandwich panels made from oil palm lumber, sengon, and gmelina wood were impregnated with a boron-alum solution to improve their water and termite resistance. Water resistance testing was evaluated using a thickness swelling test following the method in SNI 03-2105. The sandwich panel was also tested for its durability against dry wood termites, according to SNI 01-7207. The weight loss, mortality, and attack degree were used as the parameters for evaluating termite durability. The results showed that the treatment with a boron-alum solution can increase the stability, water resistance, and weight loss properties up to 73%, 41%, and 100%, respectively. The best properties of the sandwich panel were obtained by the sengon-isocyanate panel with 8% boric acid-borax and 5% alum treatment which has thickness swelling of 2.37%, water absorption of 49.04%, weight loss of 0.0124%, termite mortality of 100%, and attack degree of 0.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Aokai Cheng, Dengyun Tu, Zhipeng Zhu, Qiaofang Zhou, Wei Wei, Chuanshuang Hu, and Xianghao Liu

Study on machining properties and surface coating properties of heat treated densified poplar wood

In this study, a modification combining densification and heat treatment of poplar wood (Populus tomentosa Carr.) was carried out, and the machining properties of the unmodified poplar wood (control) and the heat treated densified wood (HTD) were tested and evaluated. In addition, the water-based UV paint was covered on the control and HTD respectively, and the surface coating properties of them were evaluated. The results showed that: (1) The machining properties of poplar wood were improved after the heat treatmentdensification modification. The score of comprehensive machining properties of the HTD was 45 (excellent grade), while the score of the control was 36 (good grade). (2) The abrasion resistance, hydrophobicity and adhesion were improved after heat treatment-densification modification. Therefore, the modification combining densification and heat treatment played a significant role in enhancing the value of wood.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Yang Wu, Jiangang Zhu, Qian Qi, and Lina Cui

Research progress of solid wood bending softening technology. Review

The softening process of wood bending has a very important influence on the performance, forming shape, and yield of bentwood. The paper reviewed the typical softening processes in solid wood bending by analyzing the various softening mechanism and softening processes. The main influencing factors of the softening technology on the bending properties were summarized based on the comparative analysis of the related research progress of wood softening. In view of the lack of systematic analyses of the cost and environmental factors associated with the softening process, this paper goes in detail analyzing the major softening technologies with comprehensive comparison of the economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages. The paper also draws light on the development trends of softening technology that can be implemented in wood industry which can hence improve the added value of wood. Under the background of green development, the authors believe that the softening technology should not only benefit the economic efficiency but also meet the social needs of low-carbon and environment-friendly.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
Manish Ranjan, Anand Nandanwar, and Pradeep Kumar Kushwaha

Comparative study on physical-mechanical properties of plywood produced from eucalyptus grandis and populus deltoids veneers. Short notes

Nine-ply plywood panels were produced from Eucalyptus grandis and Populus deltoids using urea-formaldehyde (UF) and phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives. The physical and mechanical properties, such as moisture content, density, modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the eucalyptus and poplar boards, were compared in this study. Samples were tested on both, along and across the grain. Higher values of MOR and MOE were observed for eucalyptus as compare to poplar. Density of ply board was observed as 500-560 kg.m-3 in plywood from poplar and 700-720 kg.m-3 in plywood from eucalyptus species. These differences were attributed to the variation in properties of veneer wood species. The effect of veneer wood species on some physical and mechanical properties of plywood was found statistically different.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Ziwei Wang, Xianghua Yue, Jing Li, Hankun Wang, and Genlin Tian

Research on the structure and connections of pits in different cells of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)

The plant grows within the transportation of water and nutrients, including radial and longitudinal, but bamboo only exists pits in the radial, so it plays an irreplaceable role at this moment. This study aims at giving rise to further understanding of the biological functions of pits in bamboo. Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to investigate the structure and connections of bamboo pits. The results show that the arrangement of pits is significantly different, including alternate, scalariform and opposite arrangements. The presence or absence of the bordered on different cells is also displayed distinctively, these characteristics extremely affect the transportation of water and nutrients in bamboo.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Karol Tomczak, Przemysław Mania, and Arkadiusz Tomczak

Wood density and annual ring width of pedunculate oak from stands grown on former agricultural land

The main aim of this study was to determine differences in basic density and average annual ring width of pendulate oak wood collected from trees grown on former agricultural land and on forest land, using a dimensional method. The experiment was carried out in the western part of Poland, near to Poznan, which is in the central part of the European range of pedunculate oak. In our study the average basic density was 0.528 g.cm-3, and the value for former agricultural land was lower by 0.026 g.cm-3 than that for forest land. Differences in basic density values between these two land types were statistically significant. The average annual ring width in samples collected from forest land in our study was 2.48 mm, samples from former agricultural land were characterized by wider average annual rings. The results suggest that there are significant differences in quality of wood from former agricultural land and from forest. However, from view of wood quality and applications the difference is not important.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Renyuan Liu, Zhuliang Zeng, Quan Li, and Cenlong Hu

The effects of ACQ and water glass on the color change and decay resistance of carbonized bamboo

In this study, samples of bamboo and carbonized bamboo were impregnated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and water glass, the resulting differences in color and resistance to decay by Gloeophyllum trabeum were evaluated. The results showed that the impregnated bamboo and carbonized bamboo greatly reduced their lightness (L*). The red-green color index (a*) first decreased and then increased, while the yellow-blue color index (b*) first increased and then decreased. The total chromatic aberration (ΔE) was largest for bamboo and carbonized bamboo impregnated with ACQ and allowed to decay. Carbonized bamboo impregnated with ACQ and water glass and bamboo impregnated with ACQ reached level I (strong decay resistance). The decay resistance of bamboo and carbonized bamboo was as follows: ACQ impregnated > water glass impregnated > CK. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed that the bamboo and carbonized bamboo were impregnated with ACQ had fewer hyphae, the maintained intact structure, and good decay resistance.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Changlin Huang, MING LI, SAIYIN FANG, YUE ZHAO, and FEILONG MAO

Research on the effect of wood surface cracks on propagation characteristics and energy attenuation of longitudinal acoustic emission

To investigate the effect of Zelkova schneideriana surface cracks on the longitudinal wave propagation characteristics of acoustic emission (AE). Different sizes and numbers of cracks were made on the surface of the specimen, the propagation characteristics of AE longitudinal waves along wood texture direction were studied. Firstly, five regular cracks with the same length, different width, depth and equidistant distribution were fabricated on the surface of the specimen. The burst and continuous AE sources were generated by lead core breakage and signal generator, and the AE signals were acquired by 5 sensors with sampling frequency was set to 500 kHz. Then, the propagation speed of AE longitudinal wave was calculated by Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) based on lead core breakage. Finally, the 150 kHz pulse signals of different voltage levels generated by the signal generator were used as AE sources to study the influence of cracks on the attenuation of AE longitudinal wave energy. The results showed that the AE longitudinal wave propagation speed under the crack-free specimen was 4838.7 m.s-1. However, after the regular crack was artificially made, the longitudinal wave speed reduced to a certain extent, and the relative error of the change was not more than 9%. Compared with the energy decay rate of 1.29 in the crack-free specimen, the decay rate gradually increased to 2.08 with the increase of the crack cross-sectional area.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Xinyi Wei, Fengwen Sun, and Jie Lin

Impregnation on poplar wood with vegetable oils: Effects on physical mechanical and dimensional stability properties

In this study, vegetable oils were selected to modify poplar with vacuum-pressure impregnation technology and the optimum progress was studied. The weight percent gain (WPG), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), water uptake rate (WUR), volume swelling rate (VSR) and volume shrinkage rate (VSR’) were evaluated. The results showed that the dimensional stability, physical and mechanical properties of treated wood were significantly improved. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that castor oil was inserted into the interior of the wood through the pores. Vegetable oil modification (castor oil) decreased the intensities of hydroxyl, cellulose and hemicellulose specific peak in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results showed that castor oil treatment decreased the intensities of hydroxyl, cellulose and hemicellulose specific peak. Ultimately, the optimum process of castor oil treatment was impregnation pressure 1.8 MPa, time 1.0 h and temperature 85°C based on the range and variance analysis.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Vasiliki Kamperidou, Izabela Ratajczak, Waldemar Perdoch, and Bartłomiej Mazela

Impact of thermal modification combined with silicon compounds treatment on wood structure

In the present study silicon containing formulations were investigated for their applicability in solid wood modification. Black pine sapwood was thermally modified at 180oC and 200oC (3, 5 and 7 hours) and afterwards, an additional chemical treatment with silicon containing systems (N-2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) followed, in an attempt to invigorate hydrophobicity and durability of wood. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to examine the formation of new bonds in the treated materials and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to measure the silane concentration. The results showed a high reactivity between thermally modified wood and organosilicon compounds. The presence of bands representing vibrations of the Si–O–CH3 group in IR spectra of modified wood and after extraction confirms the stable character of the formed bonds between the hydroxyl group of wood and the methoxy groups of organosilanes. Furthermore, reactivity between wood and AE-APTMOS and alkyd resin solution was confirmed by the AAS results. Alkyd resin caused a higher concentration of silica in wood mass, which increases as the thermal treatment temperature increases. The organosilicon compounds caused a much higher resistance to water washout, revealing permanent binding of silanes to wood mass.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Matheus Viana De Souza, Pedro Henrique Da Silva Cazella, Sérgio Augusto Mello Da Silva, Felipe Reis Rodrigues, Marjorie Perosso Herradon, Fabíola Medeiros Da Costa, Márcia Regina De Moura Aouada, Fauze Ahmad Aouada, Herisson Ferreira dos Santos, Edna Moura Pinto, Victor Almeida De Araujo, André Luis Christoforo, and Roberto Vasconcelos Pinheiro

Comparative study of particleboards with Hevea brasiliensis waste from different production and moisture configurations

After the production cycle of latex, Hevea brasiliensis trees become residual living plants for this activity, although their woody trunks are still potentially subject to industrial utilization. Bio-composites derived from rubberwood particles were manufactured using two different configurations as a strategy to examine the potential of this species with respect to mechanical behavior. Homogeneous panels were developed from particles at the saturation condition, and heterogeneous panels were obtained from dry particles conditioned at 12% moisture content. Both examples were heat-pressed and glued with castor oil-based polyurethane resin. Density,short-term water absorption and thickness swelling, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity in the static bending and perpendicular tensile were evaluated. Panels derived from rubberwood particles proved to be viable according to the technical standards.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Jakub Kawalerczyk, Dorota Dziurka, and Radosław Mirski

The effect of a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive reinforcement with nanocellulose on the pressing parameters of plywood

Research on improving the reactivity of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin and the possibility of lowering the pressing parameters of wood-based materials manufactured with its participation are still progressing. Due to a number of favorable properties, nanocellulose (NCC) is gaining more and more popularity as a modifier of wood adhesives. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the possible reduction of plywood pressing parameters due to the reinforcement of PF resin with NCC. Based on the bonding quality results it was found that there is a possibility to reduce pressing time by 25% and pressing temperature by 7%. Moreover, the outcomes of mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity and bending strength) of manufactured plywood indicate that theoretically it could be possible to decrease the pressing parameters even more. However, the shear strength of the glue joints was considered to be a limiting factor for further reduction. The results of delamination test show that plywood bonded with phenolic resin have no tendency to delaminate. Thus, it can be concluded that NCC can be used as a modifier for PF resin which can contribute to the reduction of pressing time and pressing temperature during the plywood manufacturing process.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Kang Chiang Liew and Yu Feng Tan

Densification and effect of compression ratio on mechanical properties of CLT from low-density timber

The mechanical properties of CLT manufactured from densified low-density planted timber, Paraserianthes falcataria were studied in relation to changes in the area of pores for under densification. Conditioned laminas (MC ≤ 15%) underwent two-stage densification using hot-press machine at 105oC, 6 MPa, for 10 min each, with press released for 1 min 40 sec in between the stages, before cooling (< 100oC) to reduce immediate springback. The laminas with thickness 8 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm were produced using metal stoppers and further manufactured into three-layered CLT of 24 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm thick. 20 mm undensified laminas with 60 mm CLT as the control. Results shows that modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and compression parallel to grain have improved significantly and showed negative correlation with area of pores, except for compression perpendicular to grain.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 5, 2022
Gang Zhu, HUI LI, Kunyong Kang, Xupeng Zhang, and Shuduan Deng

Influence of vacuum impregnation pressures on the nanomechanical characteristics and photocatalytic performance of nano TIO2-furfuryl alcohol/balsa wood-based composites

In this work, a nano TiO2-FA/balsa wood-based composites were successfully fabricated by mechanical stirring assisted vacuum impregnation method, and the influence of different impregnation pressures on the microstructure, nanomechanical characteristics and photocatalytic performance of obtained composites were investigated. Results show that the nano TiO2-FA compound modifier was impregnated in the tracheid and attached to the wood cell walls. SEM revealed that the size of TiO2 nanoparticles grow larger as the impregnation pressure increases, and the presence of TiO2 globules with some areas agglomerated on the wood cell wall surface. Compared with the unmodified wood, the elastic modulus of cell walls for nano TiO2-FA/balsa wood composites prepared under 0.45 MPa significantly increased by 160.5%, and the hardness improved from 0.36 ± 0.04 GPa to 0.84 ± 0.08 GPa. Furthermore, the UV-Vis showed that the composite exhibited a high removal rate of methylene blue (10 mg.L-1), up to 88.74% within 240 min.