Macro- and microtechnological studies on beechwood panels bonded with Pinus brutia bark tannin

The suitability of hot water extracted tannins from the bark of Pinus brutia from Turkey as a binder either alone or in combination with phenol formaldehyde was examined. Using formaldehyde-hydrochloric acid about 77% of the active phenolic components could be precipitated. Because of the high molecular weights of the polyphenols only small amounts of formaldehyde were necessary for a complete curing. On the basis of the tannin along with a hardener, such as paraformaldehyde or hexamethylenetetramine, boiling-water-resistant gluing of beechwood panels was obtained (DIN 53254, DIN 68602). Electron microscopical and microanalytical studies of such tannin-bonded panels showed the localization of the adhesive, penetration of the adhesive into the wood cells as well as the interaction between the tannin adhesive and the wood cell walls.