WOOD RESEARCH Volume 71, Number 1, 2026
QINYI GU, HONGHAI LIU, and TAO LI

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.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 70, Number 4, 2025
QINYI GU, HONGHAI LIU, and TAO LI

THE STUDY OF SURFACE DENSIFICATION AND TEMPERATE SUPERHEATED STEAM MODIFICATION FOR RUBBERWOOD

This study aimed to develop a high-value wood composite by surface-densification combined with temperate superheated steam modification technology. Rubberwood boards were hot-pressed, the impact of the peak density and thickness of densified layer on the physical and mechanical properties of wood were studied. In this study the platen temperature was kept constant, after hot-pressing the platen cooling phase was omitted replaced by special compression pressure decreasing and steam discharging technic, which could save much energy and time. Superheated steam treatment (190°C for 1.5 h) and conditioning (110°C for 2 h) were recommended for improving dimensional stability and durability. Study results indicated that the surface hardness and modulus of rupture of surface-densified followed by superheated steam modified rubberwood increased by 55.9% and 41.6% compared with non-densified one respectively. Dimensional stability improved substantially. The durability was improved to ‘durable class’ according to GB/T 13942.1-2009.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 70, Number 4, 2025
YANG ZHENG, MENGQING KE, CHENYANG CAI, XIAO ZHONGYANG, and HONGHAI LIU

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE HEAT TREATMENT OF DALBERGIA LATIFOLIA ROXB. WOOD UNDER ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND VACUUM CONDITIONS

This study comparedatmospheric heat treatment (AHT) and vacuum heat treatment (VHT)of Dalbergia latifoliaRoxb. at 180°C for 6 hto improve dimensional stability. Through multiple tests, it analyzed their effects on the wood. Results showed VHT caused milder chemical changes, preserving hydroxyl and lignin structures while AHT severely degraded hemicelluloses. VHT led to lower weight loss 0.45% vs 1.25%, better dimensional stability with a greater reduction in radial swelling 0.84% vs 1.34%, higher mechanical strength (modulus of rupture: 118.22 MPa vs 95.83 MPa; modulus of elasticity 9361.50 MPa vs 8558.34 MPa), and a smaller color change ΔE*: 9.79 vs 18.65. Overall, VHT can balance performance improvement and minimize damage to the wood’s structure and aesthetics.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 69, Number 4, 2024
JINGE XIE, HONGHAI LIU, YU XIE, and XIAOKAI ZHANG

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE ON SUPERCRITICAL CO2 DEWATERING OF BAMBOO STRIPS

In this study, therepressure (15, 22.5, 30 MPa) and two temperature (45, 60°C) of ScCO2dewatering were tested on Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) strips. The aim was to research the effects of these conditions on the dewatering rate, moisture distribution, and shrinkage of bamboo. The results showed that: 1)The first cycle discharges the most water of all drying conditions. The most effective dewatering time consisted of a 15 min depressurization period and a 5 min discharge period. 2)The ScCO2 dewatering rate of bamboo strips decreased with decreasing MC, with a maximum decrease of 78%.The maximum and minimum dewatering rates were 37.04%/h and 4.41%/h, respectively. The dewatering rate was synergistically affected by temperature and pressure, which increased significantly with pressure at 45°C, but was minimized at 60°C at 22.5 MPa. 3)After dewatering, the moisture distribution in the bamboo strips shows a trend of higher moisture content(MC) in the middle and lower MC on both sides in the tangential and radial directions. 4)Most of the bamboo strips produced shrinkage after the 1st cycle of dewatering, and the overall shrinkage in the tangential direction was greater than that in the radial direction. The maximum tangential and radial shrinkage rations are 3.06% (22.5 MPa/45°C) and 0.94% (15 MPa/60°C), respectively.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 6, 2022
HONGHAI LIU, XIAOKAI ZHANG, and Jingwen Zhang

Study of dewatering characteristics of eucalyptus wood by supercritical CO2

Wood collapse is a major defect for their applications in solid wood production. Supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) dewatering can quickly remove water in wood and effectively reduce the capillary tension leading to collapse of wood structure. In this study, Eucalyptus exserta F.V. Muell wood was dewatered using ScCO2 at 35, 45, 55°C and 15, 20, 25 MPa, separately. The dewatering characteristics and wood deformation were statistically analyzed and compared after dewatering. The results show that the dewatering rate of ScCO2 is affected by moisture content (MC) of wood, showing the higher the MC, the faster the dewatering. It is also affected significantly by pressure, indicating increased dewatering rate with the pressure. The effect of temperature on dewatering rate is not apparent as the pressure is less than 25 MPa, but it becomes significant at 25 MPa condition, showing an increased dewatering rate with temperature. In this experiment, the greatest dewatering rate was 19.8%·h-1 at 55°C and 25 MPa. The transversal shrinkage of all specimens after 5 cycles dewatering was lower than 1.5%, indicating the ScCO2 dewatering could effectively inhibit collapse of eucalyptus wood structure. The transversal shrinkage decreases with the pressure, and is not affected significantly by temperature.