Gloss of thermally densified alder (Alnus glutinosa Goertn.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), birch (Betula verrucosa Ehrh.), and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood veneers

Thermo-mechanical densification of wood is performed to improve physical and mechanical properties of wood. During this treatment aesthetic properties of wood, including gloss, also change. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short-term thermo-mechanical (STTM) densification in different wood species (alder (Alnus glutinosa Goertn.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), birch (Betula verrucosa Ehrh.), and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)) on their gloss changes. Commercial wood veneers were densified in a hot plate press for 4 min at temperatures of 100, 150 and 200 °C, pressures of 4, 8 and 12 MPa. Gloss was evaluated at 20°, 60° and 85° angles of incident light using PICO GLOSS 503. Gloss measurements showed an enhancement of aesthetic properties of densified wood. Findings of this study indicated that both densification temperature and pressure have a significant effect on wood gloss. Gloss values of densified wood increased with increasing densification temperature and pressure for all investigated species. Compared to non-densified wood, gloss (85°) values (across/along the grain) for alder, beech, birch and pine increased after treatment to 2109.1/2376.9, 1728.6/2311.1, 2787.5/3000, and 2591.7/1216.7 %, respectively. The greatest gloss values were recorded at 200 °C and pressure of 12 MPa for all tested angles of incident light and for all densified wood samples. Gloss changes for birch were the highest, but the glossiest surface was observed for pine among all investigated species after wood densification.     

Physical,mechanical and biological properties of thermo-mechanically densified and thermally modified timber using the Vacu<Superscript>3</Superscript>-process

Densification and thermal modification change wood properties in different ways depending on the treatment conditions and the wood species. In the presented investigations, densification and thermal modification were applied consecutively. The primary objective of this treatment combination was the compensation of reduced mechanical properties due to the thermal modification by densification. The combined processes were applied to five European wood species: poplar (Populus nigra L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), English oak (Quercus robur L.) and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Depending on the mean density of the species, a thermo-mechanical densification of 43 or 50% was imposed to improve mechanical strength parallel to the grain. Subsequently, the densified material was thermally modified in the so-called Vacu³-process at 230 °C and 20 or 80% vacuum and at 240 °C and 20% vacuum. The thermal modification resulted in changing wood colour, mechanical strength, hardness, dimensional stability and durability. All the wood modification processes were carried out at industrial scale after pre-tests at laboratory scale. The modified material was characterized regarding flexural properties, static and dynamic hardness, structural integrity, abrasion resistance, moisture dynamics, dimensional stability, and durability against white, brown and soft rot fungi. In summary, the test results showed that the consecutive application of thermo-mechanical densification and thermal modification leads to significantly improved durability whilst mechanical properties at least for beech, ash and poplar remained and the material is dimensionally stable.     

Mikroskopische und spektroskopische Untersuchungen der Verleimungsqualität PVAc-verklebter Furnierkanten

In the present study, the glueing quality and the occurrence of uneven colour alterations during the bonding of veneer edges was examined. For the production of the veneer edges the bright and colour-sensitive wood species beech, hard maple and black cherry were selected. The veneers were pressure-glued with six slightly modified liquid-dispersed PVAc adhesives applying press temperatures of 90°C up to 120°C and different glue applications of 100 g/m² and 150 g/m². With regard to the variety of process parameters, the glued veneer edges show only slight deviation in the colourmetrically measured brightness (L*-values) on the wooden surface during processing. Furthermore, no significant influence of the various pH values of the adhesives could be determined affecting the occurrence of colour alterations on the wooden surface. Additionally, the glueing quality and the ratio of the glue area were examined microscopically using a computerised data image system. The evaluated veneer edges with a glue area ratio of 9% to 15% referring to an area unit of 3.23 mm² show the best glueing quality. Using a cellular energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), the distribution of aluminium and chlorine used as an accelerator was quantitatively investigated in the glue line and the woody tissue. The two elements could be detected in the entire tissue, whereas the concentration in the glue line and the adjacent woody tissue reveals the highest counts. In this area, the occurrence of high UV-absorbance values due to the formation of accessory phenolic compounds could be locally detected using a cellular UV-microspectrophotometric analysis (UMSP). The formation of these phenolic compounds is restricted to the woody tissue adjacent to the glue line and has no influence on the colour at the wooden surface.     

Material behaviour of veneer during multidimensional moulding

During the coating of multidimensional moulded surfaces the coating material suffers different stresses, which limit the possible mould. The behaviour of veneer as a thin coating material is discussed in the following article. The investigations were carried out with veneers of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and American walnut (Juglans nigra L.) of different thicknesses. The anisotropy of the material is analysed concerning the various structure of the considered wood species. Feasibilities and limits of a three dimensional moulding are presented and conditions for a plastic deformation are discussed.     

The wettability and bonding performance of densified VTC beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) bonded with phenol–formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood

The influence of viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) on surface wettability and bonding performance of wood was evaluated. Low quality beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were densified with the VTC process to different degrees of densification. Control and densified strips were bonded with phenol–formaldehyde (PF) adhesive and liquefied wood (LW). Shear strength of bonded assemblies was determined after 1 week of conditioning at 20 °C and relative humidity of 65 %. Wettability was determined on the basis of the contact angle of water, PF adhesive, and LW using the Wilhelmy method. Results showed that densification of beech and spruce wood did not significantly affect the shear strength of specimens bonded with PF adhesive. In beech assemblies bonded with LW shear strength decreased significantly with increased density, whereas in bonded spruce specimens decrease of shear strength was not significant. It was found that degree of densification and bonding process used in the study were not appropriately chosen for spruce wood specimens, since major deformations after the bonding process occurred. Wettability changed significantly after densification. Contact angle of water and LW increased after densification, whereas contact angle of PF showed inverse trend and decreased after VTC process. Furthermore, the degree of densification had a minor effect on the wettability.     

Wood surface discolouration due to simulated indoor sunlight exposure

Wood surface colour is a very important quality criterion in the utilisation of wood, especially in indoor applications. In this study, an attempt was made to analyse wood surface discolouration due to artificial indoor light irradiation of the most frequently traded wood species in Europe altogether. Sixteen wood species, twelve hardwood and four softwood species, were exposed for 120 hours to a xenon-arc lamp equipped with a 3 mm window glass filter, in order to simulate natural sunlight behind a window glass. Eleven wood species were chosen and further exposed to irradiation for up to 600 hours. Colour measurements were performed by means of a colorimeter device on exposed and non-exposed areas of the samples. Using the CIE-L*a*b* colour measuring system, wood surface discolouration was measured and calculated according to ?L*, ?a*, ?b* and ?E* values. An idea of the different behaviour of these species and how they relate to each other could be given.     

The mechanical behaviour of veneer subjected to bending and tensile loads

Bending and tensile tests were carried out on veneer of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and European oak (Quercus robur L./Quercus petraea Liebl.) with a thickness between 0.35 mm and 0.5 mm. The tests were done on veneer in two test series, one parallel to the fibre and the other one perpendicular to the fibre. Mechanical properties and bending radiuses were measured and evaluated. It could be concluded that the bending properties of the veneers not only depend on the bending stiffness but also the mechanical strength and structure of the material. During the tests it could be shown that the 3-point bending test procedure is not a suitable method for determining the bending modulus of rupture.     

The effect of log heating temperature on the peeling process and veneer quality: beech, birch, and spruce case studies

Heating green-wood prior to peeling is necessary to improve both peeling process and quality of veneer. This study investigates optimum heating temperatures by soaking of beech, birch and spruce. Experiments have studied the influence of heating temperatures from 20 to 80 °C on thickness deviations and veneer lathe checking using a pneumatic rugosimeter and image analysis of opening checks with the SMOF device (Système de Mesure de l’Ouverture des Fissures). Conclusions account for reduced heating temperatures compared to the temperatures currently in-use in the industry. Already at 50 °C, positive effects of heating ensure efficient peeling process. Low temperatures produce veneers with deeper and more spaced checks than high temperatures when checks are closer and less deep, becoming even unpredictable especially in case of spruce. These results establish the SMOF as an essential non-destructive control device to control the quality of the veneer produced at research level.     

Investigation on bonding quality of beech wood (Fagus orientalis L.) veneer during high temperature drying and aging

In the present study, the effects of high drying temperature and UV light induced aging on bonding quality of plywood manufactured from untreated and treated veneer layers were investigated. Rotary cut veneers with dimensions of 500 mm×500 mm×2 mm produced from beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) log were selected for topochemical, chemical and mechanical analyses. The veneer sheets were oven-dried at 100°C and 180°C after the peeling process. Afterwards, the surfaces were exposed to artificial UV irradiation in an UV chamber for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h representing natural sun irradiation of 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. Topochemical distribution of lignin and phenolic extractives of the treated and untreated veneers was investigated on a cellular level using UV microspectrophotometry (UMSP). For the chemical characterization of accessory compounds high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used. Furthermore, the shear and bending strengths of plywood manufactured from the treated samples are determined in order to study the bonding quality. The UV microscopic detection shows that after high drying temperature and aging treatment, lignin condensation occurs. With increasing drying temperature and aging duration, more phenolic extractives are situated in parenchyma cells and vessel lumens which can be proved by increased absorbance at 278 nm. The HPLC analysis of the treated tissue showed distinct signals of polymerized compounds such as catechin and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone which are chromophoric compounds in discolored beech wood. The mechanical properties of plywood showed that with increasing drying temperature up to 180°C does not negatively affect shear and bending strengths of samples. After exposure of the veneers to UV irradiation (especially 6 months), decreasing shear and bending strengths of plywood samples can be observed.     

Influence of the slicing technique on mechanical properties of?the?produced veneer

The aim of this investigation was to compare the mechanical behaviour of lengthwise and plain sliced veneer of the species beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Therefore, tension tests parallel and perpendicular to the grain were carried out. The results were evaluated using the variance analysis (ANOVA). As a result it can be stated that lengthwise sliced veneers exhibit significantly higher strength and better mechanical characteristics than plain sliced veneers. The checks parallel to the grain which occurred by manufacturing at that side of the veneer leaf which faces the cutting edge and which is stressed in tension are to be considered as reason therefore. In contrast to the tests parallel to the grain the modulus of elasticity perpendicular to the grain shows significantly lower values for lengthwise sliced veneers than for plain sliced veneers. Due to their higher strength values lengthwise sliced veneers are considered better base materials for engineered wood products than plain sliced veneers.     

XRF examination of matrix uniqueness in chosen deciduous wood species

Matrix uniqueness in different wood species was analysed using X-ray spectrometry in order to specify, whether separate calibration for particular species is required. Results of XRF measurements of three deciduous species specimens were compared: oak (Quercus robur L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and birch (Betula pendula). Three forms of specimens were examined: solid wood, powdered wood and pelletized powdered wood. Results show that each species is definitely a different matrix, as well as each form of a sample. It means that different calibration is needed for each species in order to perform quantitative analysis. Comparison of results of the same species samples should be performed for samples of the same form.     

Ultrasound evaluation of lathe check depth in birch veneer

In this study, the lathe checks in birch veneer were examined with contact ultrasound and a preliminary study for the measurement with air-coupled ultrasound from green birch veneer (moisture content 60–75%) was carried out. The contact measurements were conducted from dry veneer and then from moistened veneer. Several ultrasound parameters measured from dry veneers were related with lathe check depth, e.g. correlation between ultrasound transit time and lathe check depth was 0.63 (p<0.001, N=30) when measuring perpendicular to grain from unchecked face of the veneer. The same correlation for moistened veneers was 0.74 (p <0.01, N=12). Furthermore, air-coupled reflection and through-transmission measurements were carried out with green veneer samples. In air-coupled through-transmission measurements, it seemed that moisture content dominated the measurement when measuring parallel to checks. There was also positive correlation between energy-related parameters in through-transmission and reflection measurement, which could be utilised to measure the properties of veneer with transducers on one side.     

A study of the deformation behaviour of veneers resulting from water storage (A methodological approach for determining the swelling characteristic using the example of European beech veneer)

This article discusses the swelling-induced deformation behaviour of veneers. Impregnation tests were performed to assess the influences on the unrestrained deformation of veneers. Among others, the tests focused on a comparison of the swelling-induced deformation in consideration of influences caused by the manufacturing process for different anatomical orientations (tangential or radial veneer). For this, samples of European beech veneer (Fagus sylvatica L.) were measured under a microscope and categorised into groups of tangentially or radially sampled veneers based on the anatomical characteristics. In addition, manufacture-specific damage was documented during the slicing process and also considered for the assessment. As a result of these tests, it was proven that the influence of near-surface damage caused by the manufacture on the unrestrained deformation of veneers was significantly dominant.     

Einfluß der Dämpfung und Trocknung von Furnieren auf deren Acetylgruppengehalt und die Formaldehydabgabe von Sperrholz

In this study, the effect of log steaming and veneer drying on acetyl group content of wood and subsequent formaldehyde emission of plywood produced were investigated. This work was carried out on pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) and beech (Fagus oriantalis Lipsky) species. Changes in acetyl group contents were determined by Freudenberg, method and IR-spectra. Formaldehyde emission was determined by WKI-bottle and perferator methods. Pronounced changes were observed in acetyl group contents due to log steaming and veneer drying. Amount of formaldehyde emission occuring in pine plywood was found to be higher than that of the beech plywood. Lower formaldehyde emission was obtained in plywoods produced using veneers with rich acetyl group content.     

Mechanical behaviour of Québec wood species heat-treated using ThermoWood process

Finnish wood heat treatment technology, ThermoWood, was recently introduced to Québec, Canada by Ohlin Thermo Tech. Subsequently, a large number of initial trials were conducted on five commercially important Québec wood species, spruce (Picea spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), fir (Abies spp.), aspen (Populus spp.), and birch (Betula spp.). These species were thermally-modified in different batches at temperatures of 200 °C or higher. The static bending and hardness of the thermally-modified wood were examined. Decreases of 0% to 49% were observed in modulus of rupture of heat-treated spruce, pine, fir, and aspen depending on species and treatment schedules used; modulus of rupture of birch increased slightly after the heat treatment. The decrease in modulus of elasticity of heat-treated spruce and pine ranged from 4% to 28%; but the modulus of elasticity of heat-treated fir, aspen, and birch increased except one trial for fir. Hardness of the heat-treated wood increased or decreased depending on the species, test directions (radial, tangential, and longitudinal), and treatment schedules.     

Drying kinetics,colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity properties of kiwi dried by different methods

This study analysed the convective (60, 70 and 80° C), microwave (120 and 350 W) and freeze drying methods in terms of their effects on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity of kiwi slices. Nine different mathematical models were applied to experimental data to achieve the most accurate calculation for drying curves. The Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models proved to be the most suitable at explaining the drying kinetics of kiwi samples as compared to other models according to the statistical tests. Each drying method was significantly affected by colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, C, α and ΔE). The dried samples exhibited respectively 5–49 % and 10–47 % less TPC and antioxidant capacity compared to the fresh sample. According to the correlation analysis conducted between TPC and antioxidant capacity for kiwi slices, there is a positive correlation (R ²  = 0.7796). Microwave dried samples at 120 W particularly had the lowest TPC and antioxidant capacity. Freeze drying method yielded the closest values with respect to colour values, total phenol content and antioxidant capacity to those of fresh samples when compared to the other methods.     

The potential of phenol–formaldehyde as plasticizing agent for moulding applications of wood veneer: two-dimensional and three-dimensional moulding

Two phenol–formaldehyde resols, namely a low and a medium molecular weight phenol–formaldehyde, were investigated for their applicability as plasticizers in moulding of European beech veneer (Fagus sylvatica L.). Therefore, beech veneers specimens were impregnated with both phenol–formaldehyde resol types in various concentrations. Subsequently, two-dimensional mouldability of the veneer was tested in a three-point-bending test along and perpendicular to the grain. Additionally, three-dimensional moulding of the phenol–formaldehyde impregnated veneer was tested throughout a modified Erichsen cupping test, where the veneer is pressed through a circular shaped coining die. The obtained results indicate a significantly improved mouldability of the treated beech veneers compared to untreated, water-saturated control specimens. Even at low phenol–formaldehyde concentrations plasticizing effects were detected in longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the grain. These findings are substantiated by results from three-dimensional moulding. Furthermore, the low molecular weight phenol–formaldehyde treated veneers displayed a higher mouldability than medium molecular weight phenol–formaldehyde specimens at similar phenol–formaldehyde concentration.     

Comparison of selected physical and mechanical properties of densified beech wood plasticized by ammonia and saturated steam

Gaseous ammonia treatment in combination with densification of wood has been known for several decades, but these days there is no industrial production of materials modified in this way; also, little has been published in this area of wood science. In this study, selected physical and mechanical properties, i.e. density profile, bending strength, hardness and moisture absorption were investigated for Lignamon (1), which was obtained from the Czech industrial production. Selected properties were also investigated using steam-densified beech (2) and native beech (3) and compared with each other. Densitometry of Lignamon showed a large variability in the density profile compared to that of only densified beech. It is affected by the degree of densification, temperature and moisture gradients, and their relationship to the glass transition of the wood cell wall. Modulus of elasticity, hardness, moisture exclusion and anti-swelling efficiency of Lignamon are enhanced compared to densified beech. The enhanced dimensional stability and lower hygroscopicity of Lignamon are probably caused by heat treatment during the process. Further investigation will be carried out with self-produced Lignamon samples.     

Textile reinforcement of multidimensional formable wood

The thermo-mechanical densification of wood leads to new material characteristics with a plasticity of more than 50 %. The compression process can be influenced by different material and process parameters. By subsequent thermo-hydro-mechanical forming, production of three-dimensional structures is viable. Additional textile reinforcement can increase the formability of partly densified wood structures transverse to the fibre direction. At the same time, the strain will be limited in order to avert premature local failure in the densified wood cell structure. Forming tests confirm the significant increase in drapability by jute and glass fibre reinforcement. Swelling pressure tests were carried out on three densified wood species to determine the internal stresses of the glue line. Thereby, lower compression stresses in poplar (Populus nigra L.) than in lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) or pine (Pinus silvestris L.) were measured. Compression stresses correlate with the density and will increase at higher densification. Furthermore, the determination of local deformation caused by densification and moulding was to be evaluated. The tests were performed by measurement of recovery during water storage using grid strain analysis. Specimens with lower process temperature (75 °C) and high degree of densification (50 %) were less homogenously deformed than samples at high temperatures (125 °C). In summary, moulding optimised, biaxially densified end grain boards with textile reinforcement (jute) should be preferably used for technical applications such as interior fitting or the use in automotive engineering.     

Experimental investigation of jet drying of birch and spruce veneers and modelling with a simplified approach

The paper presents experimental results of jet drying tests of birch ( Betula pendula) and spruce ( Picea abies) veneers at temperatures of 140°C and 190°C. Results include drying rates for 1.5 mm thick birch veneers as well as 1.5 mm and 2.6 mm thick spruce veneers of both heartwood and sapwood. Based on the test results, material parameter values for a simplified drying model are assessed. The model is based on the use of an effective diffusion coefficient and an effective surface emission coefficient, which values are calibrated to fit to the experimental results. It is observed, that separate model parameter sets are needed for the two different species but also for occurrence of heartwood or sapwood (spruce) and different thickness values of veneers.