Effect of laminated structure design on the mechanical properties of bamboo-wood hybrid laminated veneer lumber

The effects of veneer orientation and loading direction on the mechanical properties of bamboo-bundle/poplar veneer laminated veneer lumber (BWLVL) were investigated by a statistical analysis method. Eight types of laminated structure were designed for the BWLVL aiming to explore the feasibility of manufacturing high-performance bamboo-based composites. A specific type of bamboo species named Cizhu bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis) with a thickness of 6 mm and diameter of 65 mm was used. The wood veneers were from fast-growing poplar tree (Populus ussuriensis Kom.) in China. The bamboo bundles were obtained by a mechanical process. They were then formed into uniform veneers using a one-piece veneer technology. Bamboo bundle and poplar veneer were immersed in water-soluble phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin with low molecular weight for 7 min and dried to MC of 8–12 % under the ambient environment. All specimens were prepared through hand lay-up using compressing molding method. The density and mechanical properties including modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and shearing strength (SS) of samples were characterized under loading parallel and perpendicular to the glue line. The results indicated that as the contribution of bamboo bundle increased in laminated structure, especially laminated on the surface layers, the MOE, MOR and SS increased. A lay-up BBPBPBB (B-bamboo, P-poplar) had the highest properties due to the cooperation of bamboo bundle and poplar veneer. A higher value of MOE and MOR was found for the perpendicular loading test than that for the parallel test, while a slightly higher SS was observed parallel to the glue line compared with perpendicular loading. Any lay-up within the homogeneous group can be used to replace others for obtaining the same mechanical properties in applications. These findings suggested that the laminated structure with high stiffness laid-up on the surface layers could improve the performance of natural fiber reinforced composites.     

Comparison of mechanical properties of oriented strand board made from trembling aspen and paper birch

This study compared the performance of oriented strand boards (OSB) made from trembling aspen, a low-density hardwood species, and OSB made from paper birch, a medium-density hardwood species. The birch strands were thinner than the aspen strands to ensure a comparable specific surface. Three levels of adhesive content were used: 3.5%, 5.0%, and 7.0%. Internal bond (IB) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) for flatwise and edgewise bending were determined. Both species performed equally well in IB (3.5% adhesive content: 0.46 MPa, 5.0%: 0.60 MPa, and 7.0%: 0.65 MPa). The values of MOE in flatwise bending were slightly lower for birch than for aspen panels (11.8 GPa for aspen and 10.6 GPa for birch), and the MOR values were not significantly different (combined 68.3 MPa). Edgewise bending properties were not significantly different for the two species with a MOE of 10.5 GPa and a MOR of 43.2 MPa.     

Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) of aqueous phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin modified by nano copper oxide (CuO)

To improve the bio-resistance of engineered wood composites products via gluing process, aqueous phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin was modified using nano CuO containing alkane surfactant and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) 17-99. The modified PF system was analyzed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and the mechanical properties of the bonded plywood panels including tensile strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and shear strength under five test conditions were also evaluated. The results indicated that the addition of nano CuO incorporating PVA 17-99 separated the gel point and vitrification point in the curve of tan δ, which is related to the delaying of moisture loss in modified PF resin during the curing process. The modification showed adverse effect on tensile strength but only a minimal influence on MOR and MOE. Additionally, PVA 17-99 reduced the water resistance of cured PF resins. However, with the test conditions of dipping in 100 °C water for 6 h, then drying for 20 h at 63 °C in air, followed by dipping in 100 °C water for 4 h, PVA consolidated the re-curing effect on the PF resin and compensated the strength loss from hydrolysis. Thus, the modified PF system not only guaranteed bio-resistance of glued wood composites via CuO, but also has the potential for developing self-curing wood composites being applied as structural construction materials.     

Der Einfluss der Temperatur auf die Biegefestigkeit und den Elastizitätsmodul bei verschiedenen Holzwerkstoffen

The influence of temperature on the bending strength (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of eight different wooden materials (2 MDF, 1 OSB, 2 particle boards, beech and spruce plywood, solid wood panel) was tested at temperatures between -20 °C and +60 °C. Thereby a reduction of MOR of 12–39% and of MOE of 14–46% was measured in the range of 20 °C and 60 °C. The work to maximal load varied within a large range. Depending on the wooden material there was an increase of up to 48% or a reduction of up to 31% between 20 °C and 60 °C. Between 20 °C and -20 °C the MOR increased 5–22% and the MOE 3–27%. Only the MOE of the solid wood panel in fibre direction decreased by 6%. The work to maximal load ranged between a reduction by 19% and an increase by 10%.     

Bending properties of a novel engineered composite from southern pine lumber

This paper presents the results of a study in which novel engineered composite lumber was developed, manufactured and tested. The engineered composite lumber was made by edge-laminating lower-grade No. 3 solid-sawn southern pine (SP) lumber with higher-grade tension chord material to yield tension chord lumber (TCL). Three groups of TCL (38 mm × 235 mm × 4.9 m) were made with varying combinations of SP lumber including machine stress rated (MSR) 2400Fb-2.0E, MSR 2400Fb-2.0E finger joint, and visually graded No. 1 finger joint material. One group of visually graded No. 3 control lumber (38 mm × 184 mm × 4.9 m) was also tested. All specimens were tested in static four-point bending on a universal testing machine. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were determined. The TCL lumber had significantly greater MOE values as compared with the control lumber. The mean MOE values of TCL ranged from 12.4 to 12.6 GPa, as compared with 9.6 GPa for the control group. The mean MOR values of TCL ranged from 39.3 to 47.6 MPa, as compared with 35.9 MPa for the control group. Perhaps most importantly, the 5th percentile values of MOR of the TCL were approximately double those of the control group, 29.1, 27.0, and 27.4 MPa versus 11.8 MPa, respectively.     

An empirical model for predicting the mechanical properties degradation of bamboo bundle laminated veneer lumber (BLVL) by hygrothermal aging treatment

An empirical 3-D model was developed to evaluate the effect of ambient environment on the mechanical properties and degradation behavior of bamboo-bundle laminated veneer lumber (BLVL) fabricated with different levels of PF/PVAc resin. This model can describe the relationship between the modulus of elasticity (MOE), water absorption ratio, and aging temperature. Five levels of PF/PVAc weight ratio (2:1, 4:1, 6:1, 8:1 and 10:1) and three treatment conditions (18, 63, and 100 °C) were examined in this experiment. Computed tomography (CT) scanning technology was employed to observe the morphology of damage degree as well as explore the mechanism of degradation behavior of BLVL. The results indicated that the 3-D model used for tracking and monitoring the variance of MOE provided good predictors. The higher the water impregnation temperature the larger the water absorption ratio and the higher the MOE degradation were. The aging temperature had a significant effect on the mechanical properties and degradation behavior of BLVL. A linear relationship between modulus of rupture (MOR) degradation and aging temperature was observed. The degradation rate of MOE and MOR increased as the temperature increased. The aging degree tested by CT along with damage of inner board showed the PF/PVAc ratio had a significant influence on the mechanical degradation of treated BLVL when the PF/PVAc ratio was below 6:1. Localized yielding, micro-cracks developing between interfaces, PVAc resin softening along with delamination, and debonding were the main failure models for the BLVL by hygrothermal aging treatment.     

Fabrication optimization of polypropylene composites reinforced with steam-exploded wood flour by wet process

To take advantage of the unique characteristics of the wood flour by combining them with plastic in conventional panel pressing methods, a wet process was developed to make composites using polypropylene and steam-exploded (SE) flour from small-diameter loblolly pine. Wet-laid wood flour/polymer composites were fabricated using a standard TAPPI handsheet method followed by compression molding. The variables that may affect the product properties were investigated using an orthogonal test design. The results revealed that the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of composites increased, while modulus of rupture (MOR) decreased with increasing SE wood flour content. Both MOE and MOR of the composites increased with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene content. Dynamic mechanical analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry measurement gave insight into the structure of these composites, and scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the interfacial adhesion.     

酚醛树脂桉木单板层积材生产工艺研究

探讨利用酚醛树脂胶黏剂压制桉木单板层积材的工艺,分析了热压温度、热压时间和面粉添加量对桉木单板层积材力学性能的影响。研究表明：面粉添加量对桉木单板层积材的静曲强度和弹性模量有显著影响,而热压温度和热压时间的影响则不显著。就产品力学强度而言,较佳的工艺条件为：热压温度135℃,热压时间1.2 min/mm,面粉添加量0。验证试验证明,在实际生产中,综合生产成本及产品性能等多方面考虑,添加15%的面粉是可行的。     

Improvement of termite resistance,dimensional stability and mechanical properties of pine wood by paraffin impregnation

Paraffin has been used as surface protection of wood throughout the ages but its use for impregnation to improve wood resistance to biodegradation is recent. This study determined the main improvements on wood properties with paraffin impregnation. Healthy Pinus pinaster Ait. wood was impregnated with paraffin at different levels using a hot–cold process. Weight gain, equilibrium moisture content and dimensional stability (ASE) at 35 and 65 % relative humidity, termite durability against Reticulitermes grassei (Clément), bending strength, bending stiffness (MOE) and Janka hardness were determined. Density increased from 0.57 to 0.99, ASE ranged between 38–96 % and 16–71 % for 35 and 65 % relative humidity, respectively. Equilibrium moisture content decreased from 9.9 and 12.0 % to 0.8 and 3.6 % for 35 and 65 % relative humidity. Termite durability improved from level 4 to level 3 of attack, and higher termite mortality was found in treated wood (52 % against 17 %). Bending strength (MOR) increased with paraffin weight gain, reaching a 39 % increase. MOE also increased by about 13 % for wood with a weight gain around 80 %. Janka hardness increased significantly reaching about 40 % for wood with 80 % weight gain. Paraffin impregnated wood has improved properties with regard to equilibrium moisture content, dimensional stability and density, bending strength and Janka hardness, and resistance against termites.     

Emissions during combustion of particleboard and glued veneer

The combustion of particleboard and glued veneer was studied in order to evaluate if there are any negative effects on the environment from incineration of waste with adhesive. The particleboard was made with urea formaldehyde (UF) resin and the veneers were glued with different types of adhesives, UF, polyvinyl acetate, emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) and phenol resorcinol formaldehyde. The combustion tests were carried out in a fluidised sand bed reactor with a good oxygen supply at temperatures between 500°C and 1000°C for particleboard and at 750°C and 850°C for glued veneer. The emissions were compared with the emissions from combustion of pure wood and pellets made from wood. The results show that the emissions from both particleboard and glued veneer are similar to the emissions from pure wood. The only main difference is that the nitrogen oxide (NO_x) is increased when particleboard and nitrogen-containing adhesives, like UF, EPI and MUF, are combusted. The nitrogen from the adhesive is only to a minor extent converted to NO_x, e.g. only 4% of the nitrogen in particleboard gives NO_x.     

Lanolin-retarded water penetration into UF-bonded particleboards

A commercially available UF resin was blended with lanolin and used in particleboard manufacturing. The hydrophobing effect of lanolin as well as reduced water penetration into the particleboards, swelling and absorptivity were shown. The influence of the additive on physical and mechanical properties of the boards was examined. IB, MOR and MOE values affected by lanolin addition were studied.     

Influence of hydrothermal modification of fibers on some physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF)

Any treatment of fibers can influence properties of medium density fibreboard (MDF). In this research, the effects of hydrothermal treatment on physical and mechanical properties of MDF were studied. Industrial fibers were hydrothermally treated in a stainless steel reactor at 120, 150 and 180 °C for 0, 30 and 90 min as holding time. Test boards were made based on 0.7 g/cm³ target density, with 10 mm thickness under a pressure of 30 bar and at a temperature of 170 °C and a press time of 10 min. The boards were tested for internal bonding (IB), moduli of elasticity (MOE) and rupture (MOR), thickness swelling and water absorption. Results showed that the water absorption was not affected by the hydrothermal treatment; while the thickness swelling was improved and the boards became dimensionally stable. The MOE was slightly reduced due to the hydrothermal treatment. The MOR and the IB were significantly decreased by the hydrothermal treatment.     

Mechanical properties of wood treated with PF-pyrolytic oil resins

Jack pine and sugar maple wood samples were treated in a two-step process that involved first a copper chloride or a copper chloride-sodium borate mixture and then a phenol-formaldehyde resin containing a certain percentage of softwood bark pyrolytic oil. Various controls were also prepared for comparison. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of jack pine samples was generally negatively affected by the treatment, the observed values being lower than those of the controls. These values were statistically lower or equal to those of untreated samples. On the other hand, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of treated jack pine samples was not found to be statistically different from that of the untreated wood. Mechanical properties behaved in a similar way for sugar maple wood. Unlike the other treatments, copper chloride–sodium borate and the resin containing 85% of pyrolytic oil as phenol substitute appeared to slightly improve the mechanical properties of both wood species even if not significantly so. Treatment with PF-pyrolytic oil resin resulted in similar or slightly better mechanical properties when compared to CCA-treated wood. The amount of treating water soluble salts retained in samples after the first treatment had a significant impact on MOR of both wood species and on MOE of sugar maple.     

The manufacture of particleboards using mixture of reed (surface?layer) and commercial species (middle layer)

This research was conducted to investigate the suitability of reed (Arundo donax) as a substitute for wood in laboratory made 3-layer particleboard in order to supplement the supply of raw material for the Iranian particleboard industries. The ratio of the mixture of reed and wood particles were 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60, respectively, in the surface and middle layers. Press temperatures were chosen at two levels of 165 and 185?°C. Three levels of urea formaldehyde resin were selected for the surface layers, namely: 8, 10, and 12 percent. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical strength including modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) and physical properties (thickness swelling and water absorption) according to the procedure in DIN 68763. In general, the results show that reed has a positive effect on the mechanical and physical properties of boards. In this research, the treatment with 40% reed, 12% resin in the surface layers and a 185?°C press temperature has resulted in an optimum reed board product.     

The mechanical properties of densified VTC wood relevant for structural composites

The mechanical properties of densified wood relevant for structural composites were studied. Low density hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus trichocarpa) was densified using the viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) process to three different degrees of densification (63, 98, and 132%). The modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the control (undensified) wood and of the VTC wood were determined. The bonding performance of the control and VTC wood, using two phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives, was studied. Four different 3-layer composites were also prepared from undensified and VTC wood, and tested in four-point bending. The results showed that the bending properties of the VTC wood (MOR and MOE) were significantly improved due to the increased density. The bonding performance of VTC wood with PF adhesives was comparable with or better than in the case of the control wood. Increased density of the face layers in the 3-layer VTC composites was advantageous for their mechanical performance.     

Gas pressure measurements during continuous hot pressing of particleboard

Knowledge about the development of the internal gas pressure during hot pressing of wood-based composites is important for the optimization of panel properties and production speed. The gas pressure heavily affects the thermodynamic conditions inside the wood furnish mat, and a too high maximum value at press opening might cause an impairment of the panel properties. In this paper, gas pressure and temperature measurements inside a particle mat while passing through a continuous hot press are presented for the first time. The measurements were performed with a transportable system, consisting of a steel tube attached to a miniature pressure transducer and a data logger. The particleboards had a target thickness of mainly 16 mm, but also of 28 mm and 38 mm, respectively. The measurements show a distinct horizontal gas pressure distribution in both directions, in production direction and across the mat’s width. In contrast, cross-sectional gas pressure gradients were only visible inside the panels after leaving the press. By comparing the gas pressure curves measured for particleboard with those for medium density fiberboard (MDF), characteristic differences became evident. Overall, the gas pressure is higher in MDF compared to particleboard. Finally, a comparison between the gas pressure levels measured for three different panel thicknesses showed a clear relation between panel thickness and gas pressure, with a decreasing panel thickness resulting in an increase in gas pressure. The results of this paper will contribute to our understanding about the events inside wood furnish mats during continuous hot pressing.     

Optimization of processing parameters of medium density fiberboard using response surface methodology for multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a nanofiller

In the present work, medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels were produced using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) reinforced urea formaldehyde resin. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the relationship between the three variables, viz. pressing time, percentage of UF resin and percentage of MWCNT, used in the fabrication of MDF, and the influence of variables on the internal bonding (IB) and modulus of rupture (MOR) was studied. The optimum conditions based on the IB strength were determined as 8.18 % of UF resin, pressing time of 232 s, and MWCNT of 3.5 %. Similarly, the optimized conditions for MOR are also reported in this paper.     

Mechanical and physical properties of thermally modified Scots pine wood in high pressure reactor under saturated steam at 120, 150 and 180 °C

Scots pine sapwood and heartwood were thermally modified under saturated steam at 120, 150 and 180 °C in a high pressure reactor. Mechanical properties such as dynamic and static modulus of elasticity (MOE), static modulus of rupture (MOR), Brinell hardness and impact toughness were evaluated. The static MOE for sapwood did not decrease substantially (approximately 1 %), not even with a high mass loss of more than 12 %, when the wood was modified at 180 °C. Static MOE of the wood increased approximately 14 %, when modified at 150 °C. Surprisingly, MOR increased by 15 %, when modified at 150 °C with mass loss of 2.3 %. Whereas impact strength and hardness decreased somewhat, when modified at 180 °C. Moreover, high anti-swelling efficiency values were obtained (60 % for sapwood and 52 % for heartwood) when modified at 180 °C.     

Potential of pulp and paper secondary sludge as co-adhesive and formaldehyde scavenger for particleboard manufacturing

This study investigated the potential of secondary sludge (SS) as urea–formaldehyde (UF) co-adhesive for particleboard manufacturing. Three proportions of SS from three conventional pulping processes were added in the formulation of particleboard manufacturing. A 3³ factorial design was used. All panels were tested for thickness swell (TS), linear expansion (LE), internal bond strength (IB), flexural modulus of elasticity (MOE), flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and formaldehyde emission. Results indicated that particleboards made with SS from thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and kraft pulp (Kraft) met the ANSI standards for LE, IB, MOE, and MOR (with 7 and 9 % UF). However, the TS of panels made with SS was higher than that of control panels and adding SS to the formulation affected negatively this property. Most of the properties studied in the particleboards made with SS from chemical–thermomechanical pulping (CTMP) process failed to meet the ANSI standards. The main advantage of using SS as co-adhesive is the reduction of formaldehyde emission, in the best case here, about 50 %, with CTMP sludge added, of the particleboards.     

Assessment of commercial low viscosity resins as binders in the wood composite material Vintorg

Vintorg is a composite product made from wood modified by high intensity microwave energy (named Torgvin) and then impregnated with resin. Four commercial resins were cured as resin stakes and their properties assessed. Based upon these results, Vintorg composites were prepared using the candidate resins and their properties tested. One trial resin exhibited superior performance and has been recommended as a phenol formaldehyde benchmark resin for Vintorg production trials.