Measurement and Enhancement of Wood Mechanical and Chemical Properties, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2726

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Longpan Road 159, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: wood mechanical behavior; wood materials microstructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forest and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 38/42, 60-627 Poznan, Poland
Interests: fiber-reinforced polymer; wood polymer composites; mechanical wood processing; wood raw material; structural timber; carbon footprint in wood construction; forest biomass and post-production wood biomass for industrial and energy purposes; sustainability in forestry and the wood industry; energy-efficient technologies in the wood industry; cogeneration in the wood industry; product life cycle; recycling of wood products; pro-environmental and economic directions for the development of biomass-based energy security
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Institute of Forestry New Technology, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: wood anatomy; carbonization; wood charcoal analysis; wood modification; SEM analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is one of the challenges of the modern world currently facing humanity. In recent years, various environmental, economic, and political aspects have contributed to the adaptation and introduction of regulations in response to the challenges of sustainable development in the management of wood resources. To counter climate change, there has been a growing interest in solutions to increase the rational use of wood in the economy. In this regard, it is urgent to seek pathways for economic development based on improving the properties of wood through the implementation of innovative technological solutions for the manufacture of products, with the use of environmentally friendly technologies and modification options that will allow for the development of a low-carbon economy as well as a society that is adapted to climate change.

In the first edition, we received over 30 interested authors’ inquiries and 14 submissions. Finally, six of them were successfully published. In the second edition, we still hope to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research in this field. It will cover a wide range of topics, from basic measurement techniques to advanced modification methods. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

  • Measurement techniques for wood mechanical and chemical properties;
  • principles for the introduction of wood material processing technologies, including investment elements related to resource conservation and investment decisions on the use as well as production of wood and wood-based products;
  • updated research reviews using measurement analysis methods that address innovations related to the harvesting or rational use of wood, with positive environmental impacts;
  • discussion of the main technological and economic challenges in the forest-wood area, as well as suggestions of potentially possible ways to modify wood and the related socioeconomic effects;
  • the impacts of wood properties on end-use applications and the possibilities of using post-consumer wood, including wood composite materials, for utility purposes;
  • the use of modern solutions related not only to the introduction of environmentally friendly improved wood materials but energy-efficient processing technologies as well.

Contributions of research using mathematical and econometric programming tools to analyze and evaluate case studies will also be welcome. All articles will undergo a thorough review process in accordance with Forests quality standards. Articles must contain original research, and illustrations should refer to actual case studies for which data should be provided (either in the article or as supplementary material) to ensure that the results can be verified. Articles should contribute novel and noteworthy research to the relevant literature.

Dr. Wanzhao Li
Dr. Marek Wieruszewski
Dr. Yue Qi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • change in wood properties
  • laboratory measurements
  • industrial measurements
  • energy-efficient technologies for processing wood and wood-based materials
  • materials and technologies for curing improved wood products
  • ecological and technological aspects of harvesting and use of wood biomass
  • climate regulations in the processing of wood and wood-based materials
  • legal, economic, and technological aspects of the use of modified wood
  • sustainable development of wood production

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 13219 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Visualization of Major Anatomical Structural Features in Softwood
by Meng Ye, Shichao Zhao, Wanzhao Li and Jiangtao Shi
Forests 2025, 16(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050710 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 232
Abstract
Wood displays three-dimensional characteristics at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Accurately reconstructing its 3D structure is vital for a deeper understanding of the relationship between its anatomical characteristics and its physical and mechanical properties. This study aims to apply X-ray micro-computed tomography (XμCT) [...] Read more.
Wood displays three-dimensional characteristics at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Accurately reconstructing its 3D structure is vital for a deeper understanding of the relationship between its anatomical characteristics and its physical and mechanical properties. This study aims to apply X-ray micro-computed tomography (XμCT) for the high-resolution, non-destructive visualization and quantification of softwood anatomical features. Six typical softwood species—Picea asperata, Cupressus funebris, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus massoniana, Cedrus deodara, and Pseudotsuga menziesii—were selected to represent a range of structural characteristics. The results show that a scanning resolution of 1–2 μm is suitable for investigating the transition from earlywood to latewood and resin canals, while a resolution of 0.5 μm is required for finer structures such as bordered pits, ray tracheids, and cross-field pits. In Pinus koraiensis, a direct 3D connection between radial and axial resin canals was observed, forming an interconnected resin network. In contrast, wood rays were found to be distributed near the surface of axial resin canals but without forming interconnected structures. The three-dimensional reconstruction of bordered pit pairs in Pinus massoniana and Picea asperata clearly revealed interspecific differences in pit morphology, distribution, and volume. The average surface area and volume of bordered pit pairs in Pinus massoniana were 1151.60 μm2 and 1715.35 μm3, respectively, compared to 290.43 μm2 and 311.87 μm3 in Picea asperata. Furthermore, XμCT imaging effectively captured the morphology and spatial distribution of cross-field pits across species, demonstrating its advantage in comprehensive anatomical deconstruction. These findings highlight the potential of XμCT as a powerful tool for 3D analysis of wood anatomy, providing deeper insight into the structural complexity and interconnectivity of wood. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7830 KiB  
Article
Surface Crack Occurrence and Resistance During Moisture Content Changes in MF-Resin-Impregnated Paper-Decorated Blockboard
by Yun Feng, Wei Qu, Guofang Wu, Yuzhang Wu, Jinrong He, Yinlan Shen, Jinzhen Cao and Limin Peng
Forests 2025, 16(3), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030411 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
In multi-layered wood materials, varying rates of dimensional changes can easily lead to cracking, which can have a negative impact on their structure and functionality. This study focuses on cracking issues of decorated blockboard caused by moisture content changes. First, surface cracks on [...] Read more.
In multi-layered wood materials, varying rates of dimensional changes can easily lead to cracking, which can have a negative impact on their structure and functionality. This study focuses on cracking issues of decorated blockboard caused by moisture content changes. First, surface cracks on the decorated blockboard were observed and classified using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Second, from modeling perspectives, the critical tensile strength of the surface of the decorated blockboard was predicted to be 16.93 MPa, providing guidance for crack-resistant modification. Subsequently, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were incorporated into MF-resin-impregnated paper, achieving a Grade 5 crack resistance for decorated blockboard. The interaction between HNTs and MF resin forms a multiscale stress–dispersion system, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), indicating hydrogen and covalent bonding between HNTs and the MF resin. With a 5% HNTs addition, the tensile strength and strain break of the MF-resin-impregnated paper reached 36.60 MPa and 1.12%, respectively, representing increases of 97.39% and 60.00%, respectively, effectively preventing surface cracking. This has significant implications for improving the durability and performance of decorated blockboard in practical applications. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 10551 KiB  
Article
Structure Effects on Mechanical Properties of a Novel Engineered Wood Product: Cross-Laminated-Thick Veneers Based on Infinite Splicing Technology
by Yuxin Yang, Juan Hu, Xinguang Ning, Yahui Zhang, Yingqi He, Yingchun Gong, Wenji Yu and Yuxiang Huang
Forests 2025, 16(1), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010181 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 826
Abstract
With increasing global concern over carbon emissions in the construction industry, cross-laminated-thick veneer (CLTV) has emerged as an innovative green building material with significant potential to promote the achievement of “dual-carbon” goals. This study developed a groove and tenon splicing technique for thick [...] Read more.
With increasing global concern over carbon emissions in the construction industry, cross-laminated-thick veneer (CLTV) has emerged as an innovative green building material with significant potential to promote the achievement of “dual-carbon” goals. This study developed a groove and tenon splicing technique for thick veneers, enabling infinite splicing of the length direction and the preparation of a large-size CLTV measuring 12 m (length) × 3.25 m (width) × 105 mm (thickness). The mechanical properties of CLTV were studied in relation to splice position, assembly pattern of grain directions, and layer combinations. The results showed that increasing the number of // layers (// or ⊥ indicates grain direction of layer parallel or perpendicular to the length direction of CLTV) and using high-level layers significantly improved the compressive strength and reduced the coefficient of variation of CLTV. In terms of bending properties, reasonable splice distribution, placing // layers away from the neutral axis, and elevating layer level dramatically enhanced CLTV performance. Furthermore, the study revealed the synergistic effect among these design elements. The effects of layer level and the number of // layers on mechanical properties varied depending on splice arrangement and assembly pattern of grain directions, highlighting the importance of efficient structural design and raw material selection. This study addresses the limitations of traditional cross-laminated timber in raw material selection and production efficiency. Through structural innovation, it offers a solution for physical design and performance regulation, enabling the application of larger CLTV in wood structures and presenting new ideas for using fast-growing wood to reduce construction emissions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 28166 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation and Bayesian Optimization CatBoost Prediction Method for Characteristic Parameters of Veneer Roller Pressing and Defibering
by Qi Wang, Chenglin Yan, Yahui Zhang, Yang Xu, Xinxu Wang and Pu Cui
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122173 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 833
Abstract
Defibering equipment is employed in the production of scrimber for the purpose of wood veneer rolling, cutting, and directional fiber separation. However, the current defibering equipment exhibits a notable degree of automation deficiency, relying more on manual operation and empirical methods for process [...] Read more.
Defibering equipment is employed in the production of scrimber for the purpose of wood veneer rolling, cutting, and directional fiber separation. However, the current defibering equipment exhibits a notable degree of automation deficiency, relying more on manual operation and empirical methods for process control, which impedes the stability of the defibering equipment and the defibering quality. This study presented an in-depth finite element analysis of the roller-pressing process for veneer defibering equipment, and a prediction method incorporating numerical simulation and ensemble learning was proposed through data collection and feature selection. The objective is to integrate this method into the intelligent decision-making system of the equipment, with the aim of improving the productivity of the equipment and effectively stabilizing the product quality. The simulation process and the analysis of the results in ABAQUS 2020 revealed that the roller gap and roller velocity of the defibering equipment, as well as the geometrical parameters of the veneer, have a significant influence on the defibering effect. Combining these factors, 702 simulation experiments were devised and executed, and a database was constructed based on the model-building parameters and simulation outcomes. The strain and stress observed in the simulation results served to represent the veneer force and veneer deformation. The CatBoost algorithm was used to establish prediction models for the key parameters of the defibering effect, and the Bayesian Optimization and 5-fold cross-validation techniques enabled the strain and stress prediction models to achieve coefficients of determination of 0.98 and 0.97 for the training and test datasets, respectively. Shapley Additive Explanation was used to provide insight into the contribution of each feature, thereby guiding the selection of feature parameters and simplifying the model. The results show that the scheme can effectively determine the core process parameters of the defibering equipment and then provide a practical control strategy for intelligent online control. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop