Some mechanical properties and decay resistance of wood impregnated with environmentally-friendly borates

This study was made to determine some mechanical properties such as compression strength parallel to grain, modulus of rupture, and decay resistance of wood treated with some environmentally-friendly borates. Sodium tetrafluoroborate (SFB), ammonium tetrafluoroborate, (AFB), and ammonium pentaborate octahydrate (APB) were used as borates. Wood specimens were prepared from Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Before tests, wood specimens were impregnated with aqueous solutions (0.25%, 0.50%, 1.50%, and 3.00%) of borates according to ASTM D 1413-76.Results showed that compression strength parallel to grain (CSPG) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of wood specimens treated with borates were lower compared to untreated control specimen. In general, our results showed that the higher concentration levels of borates, the lower mechanical properties of wood resulted. Borate treated wood showed considerable resistance to the decay fungus compared to that of untreated control specimen.     

Aging of membranes prepared from PVA and cellulose nanocrystals by use of thermal compression

Novel membranes consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), nanosilica (NS), glutaraldehyde (GLA) and glycerine (G) were prepared using a compression moulding process. Rice husk is selected to isolate pure cellulose nanocrystals via mechanical and chemical treatment. The biodegradability of the membranes has been evaluated using UV accelerated weathering as well as a soil burial test. The chemical structure of the membranes were characterised by Fourier-Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The microstructure of the membranes was characterised by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties of the membranes were evaluated using standard techniques. The swelling and weight loss resulting from biodegradation were also evaluated. The results showed that the developed membranes can be used as food packaging bags owing to biodegradability (weight loss) under irradiation and during soil burial. The membranes are environmentally friendly.     

The effect of mineralogy, texture and mechanical properties of anti-skid and asphalt aggregates on urban dust

In northern latitudes mineral dust is formed when cars use studded tyres and roads are sanded to obtain more traction on the icy surfaces. Anti-skid and asphalt aggregates with different textural, mineralogical and mechanical properties were tested with an indoor road simulator fitted with studded and friction tyres. The particle size distribution and proportions of dust from pavement and anti-skid aggregate were analyzed using SEM-EDX. The wear on the road pavement depends on the properties of the anti-skid and asphalt aggregate (particle size distribution, mechanical/physical and textural properties). Anti-skid aggregates, which contain mainly hard minerals (e.g. feldspars and quartz) and which have a low resistance to fragmentation, should be used with caution as they may break more easily into smaller particles and are likely to wear the pavement. By using high-quality anti-skid aggregates it is possible to reduce the amount of urban dust.     

Effect of Weathering of Coal and Organic Dusts on Their Spontaneous Ignition

Weathering of coal and other cellulosic dusts occur due to the process of wetting and subsequent drying, or by subjecting them to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature for prolonged time periods. The first type of weathering occurs in a wetted storage. The second type of weathering occurs when a dust processing unit stores and maintains the dust deposit at an elevated temperature. As a result of weathering, the physical and thermal properties of the dust may change. Therefore, the weathered dust sample is expected to ignite at a different hot plate temperature as compared to that of a fresh sample, when tested in a standard test method (ASTM E 2021). In this study, three dust samples namely, wheat flour, Pittsburgh seam coal and powder river basin coal, are tested. These dust samples are subjected to one or both types of weathering. Thermogravimetric analysis and standard ignition tests are carried out with both fresh and weathered dust samples. Estimation of the activation energies and reactivity, and measurement of the minimum surface temperature for the onset of ignition have been carried out for all the cases. The implications of the observed results on industrial safety related to combustible dust layers are discussed.     

Aging of novel membranes made of PVA and cellulose nanocrystals extracted from Egyptian rice husk manufactured by compression moulding process

Novel membranes consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) originated from Rice Husk (RH), Glutaraldehyde (GLA) and Glycerine (G) were manufactured by the compression moulding process. Rice husk is a new source to isolate pure cellulose nanocrystals via mechanical and chemical treatment. The biodegradability of the membranes has been evaluated using UV accelerated weathering as well as a soil burial test. The morphology of membranes (PVA/RH-CNCs) was characterized by using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The chemical structure of the membranes (PVA/RH-CNCs) was characterised by Fourier-Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the membranes were evaluated using standard techniques. Swelling and weight loss resulting from biodegradation were also evaluated. The results showed that the developed transient membranes can be used as food packaging bags owing to biodegradability (weight loss) under irradiation and during soil burial.     

Weathering behaviour of wood-faced construction materials

The aim of this work is to optimize panels produced by the company PRODEMA S.A., improving their resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation together with other required qualities such as resistance to the weathering caused by exposure to rain, temperature variations, etc., as well as structural resistance. Photostabilizers and films were used for the protection of wood panels. In the presence of the additives, mechanical properties and adhesion were unchanged, while a better protection of the surface was obtained with films.     

木粉含量对PE-WPCs射流等离子体处理时效性的影响

采用空气射流等离子放电技术对木粉/聚乙烯复合材料(PE-WPCs)进行表面处理,以改善其胶接性能,通过接触角和胶接强度测试、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)方法等分析研究了木粉含量对PE-WPCs等离子体处理时效性的影响.结果表明:经射流等离子体处理后,PE-WPCs表面产生了含氧极性基团,表面接触角减小,胶接强度明显提高;随着放置时间的延长,处理后PE-WPCs表面极性基团数量减少,表面接触角增大,胶接强度略有下降,表现出一定的处理时效性;PE-WPCs木粉含量越高,处理时效性越小;尽管存在时效性,但处理后PE-WPCs的胶接强度仍远高于未处理PE-WPCs.     

Abrasion resistances of cellulosic,synthetic, polyurethane,waterborne and acidhardening varnishes used woods

This study was performed to determine the abrasion resistances of some varnishes used on wood materials. For this purpose, test samples prepared from Scots pine, Oriental beech, European oak, Black poplar, Basswood and Black walnut woods, which met the requirements of ASTM D 358, were coated according to ASTM D 3023 standards with cellulosic (C), synthetic (Sn), polyurethane (Pu), waterborne (Wb) and acidhardening (Ah) varnishes. The abrasion resistance of samples after the varnishing process was determined in accordance with TS 4755. It was observed that, according to wood samples, the highest abrasion resistance was obtained in Black walnut (168.9 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was obtained in Scots pine (50.63 rpm); according to varnish types, the highest abrasion resistance was obtained in acidhardening (213.4 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was obtained in waterborne (45.44 rpm). In accordance with the interaction of the factors wood type, varnish type and layer type, the highest abrasion resistance was found at interaction of Black walnut + acidhardening + 3 layers (578.0 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was found at interaction of Oriental beech + waterborne + 1 layer (11.50 rpm). Furthermore, it was found that interactions according to the varnish type and amount of layer thickness display differences; varnish types are efficient to the first degree and layer thickness to the second degree for abrasion resistance. In this respect, it can be stated that in wooden parquets and place floorings, in which the abrasion resistance is considerably important, the varnish application with three layers of acidhardening can provide an advantage.     

Sulfate resistances of different types of Turkish Portland cements by selecting the appropriate test methods

The sulfate resistance of 5 different types of Turkish portland cements were compared using ASTM C 452 and ASTM C 1012 standards. All of the cements, except for sulfate resisting cement, were prepared from the same clinker. As it was expected, ASTM C 452 test was found to be insufficient for determining the sulfate resistance of blended cements. ASTM C 1012 test is more realistic than C 452. It was observed that the addition of some mineral admixtures in small amounts to an ordinary portland cement having a moderate sulfate resistance (<8% C₃A content) may have negligible or even adverse effect on its sulfate resistance. This may be arisen from the applied test conditions.     

STW型生态土壤稳定剂用于防风固沙试验研究

利用自主研发的STW型生态土壤稳定剂,试验研究了其用于防风固沙的力学性能和抗风蚀性能,利用超微型贯入仪和自制的模拟吹风装置对改性沙土的强度和抗风蚀性能进行了试验分析。试验结果表明:STW型生态土壤稳定剂改性沙土的强度有了明显提高,具有较好的抗风蚀效果和一定的保水性能,稳定剂的使用浓度以5%为宜。     

碳酸钙对木质粉尘层最低着火温度影响研究

为研究碳酸钙含量对木质粉尘层最低着火温度的影响,利用HY16430粉尘层引燃温度试验装置测定油磨木粉、人工打磨木粉及两者分别与碳酸钙混合的粉尘层最低着火温度.结果表明:油磨木粉、人工打磨木粉、碳酸钙中位粒径分别为7.344、7.269、7.859μm,堆积厚度为5 mm时,油磨木粉尘层最低着火温度为324℃,人工打磨木...     

古代砖砌体风化性能分析及风化程度评定

自然界中气温、降水的长期作用导致古代砖砌体风化,风化损伤材料和砌体力学性能。实验采用大气环境实验舱实现自然风化作用人工模拟,根据不同饱水度和冻融次数,实验舱设定了7种非饱水冻融工况,对7种工况影响下的砖、灰浆、砌体抗压、砌体抗剪试件试件强度变化规律进行实验分析。实验表明,饱水度是反映材料冻融性能的重要指标;不同饱水度下的冻融试件强度呈现先升后降的趋势;试件在饱水度为53%的冻融作用下,砌体构件具有最佳抗力;提出古代砖砌体构件风化程度评定标准。实验对古砖砌体结构保护工作具有指导和应用价值,定期评定古塔砌体风化程度,时刻掌握古塔构件结构安全性能的变化规律,科学保护古塔。     

锰合金渣粗集料对路面混凝土性能的影响

将块状锰合金渣破碎成颗粒后制备为连续级配的锰合金渣粗集料,并以25%、50%、75%和100%的取代率取代天然粗集料以研究其对路面混凝工作性能、力学性能和耐磨性能的影响。结果表明:锰合金渣粗集料的针片状颗粒含量和吸水率大于天然粗集料,但按照适当比例级配后适用于各类路面混凝土;路面混凝土的坍落度随着锰合金渣粗集料取代率的增大而有较大幅度的减小;锰合金渣粗集料取代率小于50%时对路面混凝土的力学性能和耐磨性能影响不大,取代率超过50%以后路面混凝土的力学性能和耐磨性能相对于基准组分别提高了约10%和30%,利用锰合金渣粗集料可制备性能优良的路面混凝土。     

Bottom ash as a backfill material in reinforced soil structures

The paper describes the interface behaviour of bottom ash, obtained from two thermal power plants, and geogrid for possible utilization as a reinforced fill material in reinforced soil structures. Pullout tests were conducted on polyester geogrid embedded in compacted bottom ash samples as per ASTM D6706-01. Locally available natural sand was used as a reference material. The pullout resistance offered by geogrid embedded in bottom ash was almost identical to that in sand. In order to study the influence of placement condition of the material on pullout resistance, test were conducted on uncompacted fill materials. Pullout resistance offered by geogrids embedded in uncompacted specimen reduced by 30–60% than that at the compacted condition.     

Fire Performance Properties of Solid Wood and Lignocellulose-Plastic Composite Deck Boards

Traditionally fire performance properties of externally located deck boards have been characterized by their flame spread index (FSI) as determined by UL 723/ASTM E 84. In this test a nominal 0.6 m wide by 7.3 m long array of deck boards is exposed to an approximately 90 kW ignition source fire for 10 min in the Steiner Tunnel. More recently the University of California Forest Products Laboratory developed a new fire test protocol based the principles of oxygen consumption calorimetry, California SFM 12-7A-4, Part A: Under-Deck Flame Test. This protocol addresses the potential ignition of a deck from underneath as may occur during a wildfire. In this protocol a nominal 0.44 square meter deck-system of deck boards mechanically fastened to wood joists is subjected to an 80 kW ignition source fire for 3 min. For this study the fire performance characteristics of more than thirty-five deck board types were evaluated by the above two methods and by a smaller-scale material-based test, ASTM E 1354 cone calorimeter. Deck boards were selected to represent a range of materials (untreated wood, lignocellulose-polymer composite), structures (solid, voided, microcellular foam), and cross-sectional profiles (width, thickness, presence of hidden fastener system longitudinal edge grooves). The results from this study were used to: 1. Develop correlations for deck boards between the material-based cone calorimeter tests and system-based under-deck tests. 2. Develop correlations for deck boards between the small-scale cone calorimeter tests and large-scale Steiner Tunnel tests. 3. Estimate the significance of ASTM D 2898 Method A accelerated weathering on fire performance.     

Biokinetics of biodegradation of surfactants under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions

The present investigation aims at estimating the biodegradation coefficients of surfactants. The biodegradabilities of Triton X-100 and Rhamnolipid were tested under aerobic, nitrate reducing, sulphate reducing and anaerobic conditions using a respirometer. The results indicated that in terms of biodegradability, Rhamnolipid is superior to Triton X-100, since it is biodegradable under all conditions, whereas Triton X-100 is partially biodegradable under aerobic conditions and non-biodegradable under anaerobic, nitrate reducing and sulphate reducing conditions.     

三聚氰胺聚磷酸盐抑制聚丙烯粉尘爆炸研究

利用20 L球形爆炸装置,试验研究了聚丙烯(PP)粉尘爆炸特性及三聚氰胺聚磷酸盐(MPP)对聚丙烯粉尘爆炸的抑制效果.结果表明,质量浓度为300 g/m3的聚丙烯粉尘爆炸强度最大,最大爆炸压力为0.746 MPa、最大爆炸压力上升速率为60.508 MPa/s、爆炸指数最大为16.398 MPa·m/s.随着MPP粉末...     

Effects of furniture polish on release of cat allergen-laden dust from wood surfaces

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of furniture polish (FP) on the release of cat allergen (Fel d 1)-laden dust from wood surfaces and decay of Fel d 1 in dust over time. About 2 g of sieved (150 microm screen) allergen-laden dust was introduced as an aerosol into an experimental chamber by a Pitt-3 generator and allowed to settle onto two finished wood surfaces pre-treated with either distilled water (DW) or FP. After 24 h, each surface was vacuumed into separate plastic cassettes loaded with 37 mm diameter, 0.4 microm pore, polycarbonate filters. The recovered dust was weighed, extracted in phosphate-buffered saline, and assayed for Fel d 1 content using a two-site monoclonal antibody ELISA. After vacuuming, the remaining dust on the wood surfaces was wiped up with a water-moistened swab. The dusts were extracted from the swabs and assayed by ELISA for Fel d 1. More Fel d 1 was recovered by vacuuming from DW-pre-treated surfaces than from FP pre-treated surfaces (100% vs. 69 +/- 66%). On the contrary, more residual Fel d 1 (>99.9%) on the vacuumed surfaces was recovered from FP than from DW pre-treated surfaces by wet swabs. The concentration of Fel d 1 in dust did not change significantly at room temperature over 80 days. In conclusion, FP on wood surfaces makes dust stick to the surface, which likely reduces the release of allergen-laden dust from the wood surface. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Re-aerosolization of cat allergen-laden dusts from wood surfaces (e.g. wood floor or furniture) significantly increases the concentration of airborne cat allergens. Our study indicates that exposure to airborne cat allergens might be reduced by surface treatment with commercially available FP because cat allergen-laden dusts stuck more tightly to the wood surface treated with FP.     

Mineralization and biodegradability enhancement of natural organic matter by ozone-VUV in comparison with ozone, VUV, ozone-UV, and UV: Effects of pH and ozone dose

The increase in mineralization and biodegradability of natural organic matter (NOM) by ozone-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) in comparison with ozone, VUV, ozone-ultraviolet (UV), and UV were investigated. The effects of operating parameters including pH and ozone dose were evaluated. Results showed that the mineralization rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) provided by the processes tested was in the following order: ozone-VUV > VUV > ozone-UV > ozone > UV. Among three pH studied (7, 9, and 11), pH 7 provided the highest DOC mineralization rate and biodegradability increase. A synergistic effect was observed when combining ozone with UV or VUV at pH 7 and 9 but not at pH 11. The oxidized NOM samples were separated into six fractions based on polarity (hydrophobic/hydrophilic) and charge (acid/neutral/base) to reveal NOM characteristic changes. Ozone-VUV was effective in mineralizing hydrophobic neutral and acid fractions. The hydrophilic neutral fraction was a major NOM fraction after oxidation (39-87%) and was contributed to by the biodegradable DOC produced during oxidation. High performance size exclusion chromatography results revealed that the combination of UV or VUV with ozone was more effective in the decomposition of high molecular weight compounds than ozone alone.