Effect of High-Temperature Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) Wood

Heat treatment is a wood modification method that has been used to some extent in improving timber quality. The high temperature thermal treatment of wood is an environmentally friendly method for wood preservation. This technique has attracted considerable attention both in Europe and in North America in recent years.

This article presents the results of experimental studies on influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) wood performed in order to understand its role in wood processing. Samples were exposed to temperature levels of 120, 150, and 180°C for time spans ranging from 2 to 10 h. Mechanical properties including compression strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, Janka hardness, impact bending strength, tension strength perpendicular to grain, tension strength parallel to grain, shear strength, and cleavage strength of heat-treated samples were determined. Maximum reduction values of 34.12, 28.40, and 26.37% were found for impact bending strength, tension strength parallel to grain, and cleavage strength for the samples exposed to 180°C for 10 h, respectively. Overall, the results showed that treated samples had lower mechanical properties than those of the control samples. Statistically significant difference was determined (P = 0.05) between mechanical properties of the control samples and those treated at 180°C for 10 h.     

Micro Analytical Methods for Determination of Compression Wood Content in Loblolly Pine

Abstract

All loblolly pine trees, especially the juvenile portion, contain various amounts of compression wood. The morphological, chemical, and papermaking properties of compression wood are distinctively different from those of normal juvenile wood and mature wood. Compression wood has higher lignin and galactan, but lower cellulose and mannan content, shorter average fiber length, lower fiber width but thicker cell wall, higher fiber coarseness and higher microfibril angles as compared with the corresponding normal wood. Micro analytical methods have been developed to quantitatively determine the percentage of compression wood in an incremental core so as to eliminate the effects of compression wood on the aforementioned properties. This enables accurate quantitative genetic analyses of these properties for tree breeding programs.     

The thermal conductivity of fir and beech wood heat treated at 170, 180, 190, 200, and 212°C

Heat treatment changes the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of wood. The properties of heat‐treated wood have been researched considerably, but the thermal conductivity of heat‐treated wood in various conditions has not been reported. In this study, the thermal conductivity of heat‐treated fir and beech wood at temperatures 170, 180, 190, and 212°C for 2 h with ThermoWood method were investigated. The results were compared with industrially kiln‐dried reference samples. The results show that heat treatment caused an important reduction on thermal conductivity of wood, the extend of which is depend upon temperature and wood species. Considering all heat treating temperatures, generally by increasing heat treatment temperature the thermal conductivity of wood decreased. The effect of heat treating temperature on thermal conductivity was identical for fir and beech wood. The highest decrease in thermal conductivity occurred at 212°C for both wood species. When compared with untreated wood, the decreases in thermal conductivity at 170°C, and 212°C for fir and beech wood were 2%, 9 and 2%, 16% respectively. Depending on heat treatment temperature, the decrease found out beech in high temperature is higher than that of fir. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Considerations on Drying Frozen Spruce Wood and Effects upon Its Properties

The aricle presents the results of a research performed in order to establish whether drying lumber from frozen state (in winter) has repercussions upon its properties, compared to drying under the same conditions lumber parts originating from the same log and position within the log section but that were not frozen prior to drying. To this purpose, spruce (Picea abies L.) lumber specimens, 35 mm and 55 mm thick, cut from the same log, half frozen at ? 30°C and half unfrozen, were dried under the same conditions in a climate chamber. Some mechanical properties (hardness, bending strength, and modulus elasticity in static bending), as well as workability (expressed by means of the absorbed power and specific resistance to cutting during milling), were determined The results revealed slight differences between the frozen and the unfrozen samples both during the drying process and afterwards. It was noticed that a significant amount of water was removed from wood during the very beginning of the heating phase (thawing). With regards to wood properties after drying, a slight lowering of the mechanical properties and better workability could be established for the initially frozen samples.     

Effect of Coupling Agent Concentration,Fiber Content,and Size on Mechanical Properties of Wood/HDPE Composites

In this study, the influence of coupling agent concentration (0 and 3 wt%), wood fiber content (50, 60, 70, and 80 wt%), and size (40–60, 80–100, and 160–180 mesh) on the mechanical properties of wood/high-density-polyethylene (HDPE) composites (WPCs) was investigated. WPC samples were prepared with poplar wood-flour, HDPE, and polyethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (MAPE) as coupling agent. It was found that the tensile properties and the flexural properties of the composites were improved by the addition of 3 wt% MAPE, and the improved interfacial adhesion was well confirmed by SEM micrographs. It was also observed that the best mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites can be reached with larger particle size in the range studied, while too-small particle size was adverse for the mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites. Moreover, the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of WPCs decreased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 80 wt%; the flexural modulus of WPCs increased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 70 wt% and then decreased as the fiber content reached 80 wt%. The variances in property performance are helpful for the end-user to choose an appropriate coupling agent (MAPE) concentration, wood fiber content, and particle size based on performance needs and cost considerations.     

The influence of melamine impregnation and heat treatment on the fire performance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvetris) wood

Wood, as a natural and renewable resource, is a popular material for construction, but its fire performance restricts its utilization. In addition, for example, the mechanical properties of wood have up till now been impaired by the most common fire retardants, and therefore, the investigation of wood modification with not‐weakening flame retardants is essential. This study investigates the effects of melamine impregnation and heat treatment on the fire performance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvetris L.). The treated samples were tested with a cone calorimeter, and the following features were studied: time to ignition, heat release, smoke production, and mass loss. The heat‐treated samples became more homogenous as regards the results of fire performance. Some of the examined fire behavior values decreased because of heat treatment, while the same values increased after the combination of melamine impregnation and heat treatment. The smoke production was reduced the most for the samples that were both impregnated and heat treated. Although the influence of treatment on the fire behavior properties of solid wood was relatively marginal, it was assumed that these treatments will not have a negative impact on the fire‐resistance properties of pine wood. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CNT基木塑复合材料的力学性能、电磁屏蔽性能

采用碳纤维(CF)和碳纳米管(CNT)通过模压工艺制备出具有电磁屏蔽功能的丙烯酸酯木塑复合材料。借助材料试验机、动态热机械分析仪、微欧计和电磁屏蔽测量仪等详细研究CNT质量分数对丙烯酸酯木塑复合材料弯曲性能、动态力学性能、电阻率和电磁屏蔽效能的影响。结果表明,添加质量分数为2%的CNT,使得复合材料的弯曲强度和弯曲弹性模量分别增加了10%和16%。复合材料的储能模量也在CNT质量分数为2%时达到最大值,之后储能模量随着CNT的增加而逐渐下降,损耗因子在CNT质量分数多于2%时也逐渐增加。复合材料的吸水率和导电性能随着CNT含量的增加而增加。同时复合材料的电磁屏蔽效能也随着CNT含量增加而递增。在30~1 500 MHz范围内,电磁屏蔽效能从27 d B增加到40 d B。结果证明,当CNT质量分数在2%时,丙烯酸酯木塑复合材料具有较佳的力学性能和较好的电磁屏蔽效能(30 d B),能满足商业要求。     

Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Wood After Various Drying Processes

In this study, specimens of heartwood from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook.) plantation trees were dried by high-temperature drying (HTD), low-temperature drying (LTD), and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), respectively. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dried and untreated wood specimens with various moisture contents were investigated in the temperature range between ? 120 and 40°C at 1 Hz using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results indicated that the relative storage modulus and relative loss modulus were both the highest for HTD wood and the lowest for FVD wood, and that two mechanical relaxation processes developed. The α relaxation process in the higher temperature range was presumably a result of surpassing the glass transition of hemicelluloses with low molecular weight, whereas the β relaxation process occurring in the lower temperature range was most probably due to the motions of both methyl groups in the amorphous region of wood cell wall and adsorbed water molecules in wood. As moisture content increased, the decrease of relative storage modulus with increasing temperature became more dramatic, and the loss peak temperatures of the relaxation processes shifted to lower temperature range. The difference of dynamic mechanical behavior among untreated and dried specimens reduced with the increase of moisture content.     

Effect of wood drying and heat modification on some physical and mechanical properties of radiata pine

To evaluate evolution of physical and mechanical properties due to drying and heat modification, a load of radiata pine wood was selected and properties were measured after each drying process. The results revealed interesting correlations between intrinsic factors and properties; the values of density were highly dispersed after drying or thermal treatment and uncorrelated with other parameters, but the minimum density values were kept constant after heat treatment. Moreover, weight loss (WL) and moisture content (MC) were decreasing proportionally to the treatment intensity, due to wood–water interactions, cell wall changes, and thermal degradation of wood fractions. WL and MC were reasonably correlated with the dimensional stability, improving the dimensional stability after drying treatments, but keeping the same order of anisotropy. Regarding the wood stiffness (modulus of elasticity, MOE), it was unaffected by the drying temperature, and the correlations between MOE and MC or WL appear to be acceptable, and the values of MC or WL did not adversely affect the MOE. However, the modulus of rupture was dropped during the drying process, obtaining three differentiated groups with a decrease in around 59% after thermal modification.     

Effect of bio‐oil and epoxidized linseed oil on physical,mechanical, and biological properties of treated wood

In this article, the effects of bio‐oil and epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) on water absorption, tangential swelling, decay and insect resistance, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, and mechanical properties of treated wood samples were studied. The bio‐oil used in this article was by‐product of ThermoWood thermal modification process. Linseed oil and hydrogen peroxide were used to prepare ELO. The results indicated that the samples treated with bio‐oil had lower water absorption than that of the control group. The second treatment with ELO significantly reduced further the water absorption. The decay resistance of treated wood samples with 20% of bio‐oil against brown (Coniophora puteana) and white rot (Trametes versicolor) fungi was very high. According to the insect test results, increasing bio‐oil concentration from 10% to 20% significantly decreased surviving rate of Hylotrupes bajulus. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis showed that all treated samples had higher initial deterioration temperature than that of the control group. Regarding the wood strength, the impregnated bio‐oil generally reduced the mechanical properties of wood except modulus of elasticity (MOE). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1562–1569, 2013     

聚丙烯/木粉/纳米凹凸棒土复合材料性能研究

采用双螺杆挤出机制备了一系列聚丙烯(PP)/木粉/纳米凹凸棒土(AT)木塑复合材料(WPC.研究了AT用量对复合材料力学性能、热性能、加工性能的影响.结果表明,随着AT用量的增加,复合材料拉伸强度逐渐增加、冲击强度逐渐减小,硬度先增加后减小,AT用量为5份时复合材料硬度最大;复合材料维卡软化点不断提高;熔体流动速率(M...     

Environmentally Benign Polyelectrolyte Complex That Renders Wood Flame Retardant and Mechanically Strengthened

Home structure fires are responsible for a majority of fire deaths and injuries. Wood is a key component of home construction due to its excellent mechanical properties and renewability, but it is inherently flammable. This study demonstrates the ability of a waterborne polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) to significantly increase wood's time to ignition, while decreasing peak heat release rate and total heat release. The PEC treatment, comprised of polyethylenimine and sodium hexametaphosphate, preserves the visual aesthetic of the wood and adds little additional weight (ca. 6%), while concurrently increasing flexural modulus and flexural strength. Scanning electron microscope images after torch testing provide evidence of a microintumescent flame retardant mechanism. This unique water‐based coating provides an environmentally benign means to render wood construction much safer.     

Compression wood as a source of reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composites

Compression wood (CW) is a reaction wood formed in gymnosperms in response to various growth stresses. Many of the anatomical, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of CW differ distinctly from those of normal wood. Because of different properties, the CW is much less desirable than normal wood. This study was conducted to investigate the suitability of CW flour obtained from black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) in the manufacture of wood plastic composite (WPC). Polypropylene (PP) and CW flour were compounded into pellets by twin‐screw extrusion, and the test specimens were prepared by injection molding. WPCs were manufactured using various weight percentages of CW flour/PP and maleic anhydride‐grafted PP (MAPP). Water absorption (WA), modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values were measured. The results showed that increasing of the CW percentage in the WPC increased WA, MOR, and MOE values. Using MAPP in the mixture improved water resistance and flexural properties. CW flour of black pine can be used for the manufacturing of WPC as a reinforcing filler. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Temperature-dependent mechanical properties of wood-adhesive bondline evaluated by nanoindentation

Phenol formaldehyde (PF) and urea formaldehyde (UF) were used to prepare wood-adhesive bonds, respectively. The reduced elastic modulus (E_r) and hardness (H) of the control wood cell wall, the adhesive, and the cell wall penetrated with an adhesive (CW-adhesive) at the wood-adhesive bondline were measured within a certain temperature range from 20 to 160°C using high-temperature nanoindentation (NI). The results indicated that the wood-PF bondline showed a strong dependence on elevated temperatures, while the wood-UF bondline presented better mechanical stability. A reduction of carbohydrates and increment of lignin in wood resulting from heat treatment at a temperature above 140°C were beneficial to increase the micromechanics of wood cell walls at the bondline. Furthermore, the possible post cross-linking reactions between the wood cell walls and PF adhesive molecules during the long heating period at high temperature made a major contribution to a significant increase in E_r and H of the bondline. However, the significant difference in the mechanics of the PF adhesive and CW-PF in bondline after heat treatment negatively affects the interfacial adhesion properties of wood panels.     

Effects of Drying Schedules on Physical and Mechanical Properties in Paulownia Wood

The effects of six drying schedules on physical and mechanical properties of Paulownia wood (Paulownia fortune Seem.) were studied. Three schedules were based on the recommendations by Forest Product Laboratory (FPL), while the other three were established based on diffusion theory. FPL schedules consisted of a mild (T₆E₃), a moderate (T₆E₄), and a severe (T₇E₄) drying schedule; diffusion schedules consisted of three initial moisture contents (MC) of 113% (Dif-1), 75.5% (Dif-2), and 53.5% (Dif-3). Boards with a commercial thickness of 5 cm were randomly dried to the final moisture content of 8 ± 2% in all six schedules. Results indicated that drying under diffusion schedules had the most improved properties due to the beneficial effect of heat upon wood plasticity. However, lower plasticity effect in FPL schedules, due to lower temperatures, resulted in lower properties in most cases.     

用废木粉增强聚乙烯的研究

本研究采用废木粉为填料增强改性高密度聚乙烯。评价了马来酸酐接枝高密度聚乙烯（MAH-g-HDPE）对聚乙烯基木塑复合材料的增客效果，研究了木粉含量对复合材料力学性能和其它性能的影响，详细阐述了木粉的增强作用机理。研究结果表明：MAH-g-HDPE可显著增进憎水性基质和亲水性木粉之间的界面相互作用，明显改进复合材料的力学性能；在使用适当相客剂的情况下，木粉可明显提高聚乙烯的拉伸强度、弯曲强度和弯曲模量，具有良好的增强效果；当木粉含量为60％时，复合材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度、弯曲模量分别高达38MPa、54MPa和3500MPa，若与纯基质相比，分别提高了43．4％、176％和283％。这些实验结果表明，木粉对聚乙烯具有明显的增强效果。     

The Impacts of Heat Treatment on Lap Joint Shear Strength of Black Pine Wood

This study was conducted to determine the impacts of heat treatment on lap shear strength, density, and mass loss of black pine wood. In the study, black pine wood boards bonded with polyurethane were subjected to temperatures of 160, 180, and 200°C for durations of 2 and 6 hours. Specimens having two layers were prepared from untreated and treated wood for mechanical testing of bond lines. Data were analyzed using variance analysis and Tukey's test to determine the impacts of changes in density and mass of heat-treated black pine wood on lap shear strength. The results indicated that the lap shear strength of black pine wood decreased as the intensity of heat treatment increased. The results also indicated that the minimum and maximum percentage decreases of lap shear strength were approximately 27% for 160°C and 2 hours and 78% for 200°C and 6 hours.     

PVC/木粉发泡制品温度分布的研究

研究了环境温度、结皮层对PVC/木粉发泡制品温度分布的影响,并测试该温度分布下,制品力学性能的变化。试验结果表明:上面的环境温度对制品温度的分布影响较大;制品表面结皮层能够加快热量的传导,从而使得制品温度分布上升;制品温度分布对力学性能有影响。通过公式拟合,可以计算得到在表面环境温度为90℃,底面环境温度为40℃下,制品的弯曲模量;该计算值与实测值相当。     

Effect of Wood Fibers on the Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene/Wood Composites

The effects of wood fibers on the rheological and mechanical properties of polystyrene/wood (PS/wood) composites were investigated. The composites with different ratios of PS and wood were prepared by means of internal mixer and, additionally, two different sizes of the wood particles were used, such as ～100 and ～600 µm. The rheological properties were studied using capillary rheometer, apparent shear rate, apparent shear stress, apparent viscosity, power law index, and flow activation energy at a constant shear stress were determined. The rheological results showed that the shear stress–shear rate variations obeyed a power law equation, and the composites exhibited shear thinning. The flow activation energy of the composites increased with the addition of wood particles. Mechanical results showed that stress at break of the composites was higher than that of pure PS, whereas the strain at break and impact strength of the composites were lower than that of PS. In addition, the mechanical properties of the present composites were improved when the small size of wood particles were incorporated.     

Influence of wood extractives on two-component polyurethane adhesive for structural hardwood bonding

ABSTRACT

When bonding wood for structural applications, the wood–adhesive bond is influenced by a variety of factors. Besides the physical and mechanical properties of wood species, their chemical composition, e.g. wood extractives, can play a role in bonding wooden surfaces. A two-component polyurethane system (2C PUR) was chosen to better adapt to the current adhesion problem. The influence of extractives on crosslinking was determined by Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (ATR-FTIR) and on the rheological behavior in terms of gel point and storage modulus. Therefore, 2C PUR was mixed with 10% of eight common wood extractives separately. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) bonded with extractive enriched adhesive were tested by means of tensile shear strength tests and evaluation of wood failure. These results of ATR-FTIR clearly show that the majority of crosslinking was terminated after 12 hr. Acetic acid and linoleic acid expedited the isocyanate conversion during the first 2.5 hr. The curing in terms of gel point and storage modulus of 2C PUR was accelerated by starch, gallic acid, linoleic acid, and acetic acid. Heptanal, pentanal, 3-carene, and limonene decelerated the curing. All extractives lowered the storage modulus determined after 12 hr. The bonding of beech wood with extractive–adhesive blends showed a slight decrease of the mechanical properties, with the exception of a marginal increase in the case of linoleic acid and pentanal.

In summary, it can be said that 2C PUR is sensitive to the influence of wood extractives and can therefore be partly held responsible for adhesion problems occurring when extractives in surface-wide and higher contents are available.