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Forests
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Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification
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Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2025) | Viewed by 7355

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Athanasios Dimitriou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
BioComposites Centre, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
Interests: wood science; surface characterisation; adhesion; wood anatomy; mechanical properties; chemical properties; surface spectrophotometry; bioderived advanced materials; timber-based products; material properties
Dr. Anna Sandak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Deputy Director and Head of Research Department–Materials, InnoRenew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
Interests: engineered living materials; bioinspired materials design; wood modification and functionalization; multiscale characterization; service life performance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Magdalena Broda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wood Science and Thermal Techniques, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Interests: wood structure; wood composition; wood characterisation; wood conservation; wood preservation; waterlogged archaeological wood; structure–function relationships; wood decay; organosilicons in wood conservation; wood modification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood plays a crucial role in tackling climate change as it acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and the field of wood processing and modification is currently undergoing dynamic changes, marked by continuous advancement, innovation, and evolving techniques. This Special Issue aims to explore the dynamic transformations that wood undergoes post-processing and -modification, shedding light on the multifaceted alterations in its properties and characteristics. From novel processing methods enhancing wood's structural integrity to innovative modification techniques improving its durability and functionality, this Special Issue seeks to unravel the dynamic nature of wood materials in response to changing methodologies and technologies. By compiling cutting-edge research and insights, the aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic changes shaping the landscape of wood processing and modification.

Potential Topics:

  • Changes in wood properties post-processing and -modification;
  • Advanced techniques in wood processing for enhanced outcomes;
  • Innovative wood modification methods for improved characteristics;
  • Responses of wood to novel processing technologies;
  • Improving wood durability through innovative modification approaches;
  • Adapting wood properties to meet evolving industry demands;
  • Alterations in wood structure and composition following processing and modification;
  • Harnessing transformations in wood for sustainable manufacturing practices;
  • Optimizing wood processing and modification techniques.

Dr. Athanasios Dimitriou
Dr. Anna Sandak
Dr. Magdalena Broda
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

  • wood processing
  • wood modification
  • transformation changes
  • durability
  • wood properties
  • structural integrity

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3380 KB  
Article
Bending Properties of Finger-Jointed Elements of Differently Modified Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Wood
by Alen Ibrisević, Murčo Obućina, Seid Hajdarević and Goran Mihulja
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1400; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091400 - 1 Sep 2025
Viewed by 442
Abstract
The scarcity of high-quality wood encouraged the development of various technological processes for joining wood. The finger joint is one of the most widespread technological processes for wood joining. This study aimed to determine the effect of steaming and heat modification of beech [...] Read more.
The scarcity of high-quality wood encouraged the development of various technological processes for joining wood. The finger joint is one of the most widespread technological processes for wood joining. This study aimed to determine the effect of steaming and heat modification of beech wood, as well as the type of adhesive, on the mechanical characteristics of finger joints. Samples made from un-modified beech, steamed-treated, and heat-treated beech wood were bonded with polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), non-structural, and structural polyurethane (PUR) adhesives. Compressive tests on wood materials were used to evaluate their mechanical performance. The finger joint samples were tested for their bending performance. Modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compressive strength were calculated. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to evaluate the impact of wood modification type and adhesive used on the mechanical characteristics of the finger joints. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the steaming process does not influence changes in the mechanical characteristics of the finger joints. Heat treatment of beech and the type of adhesive used significantly influence the tested mechanical characteristics of the finger joints and beech wood. Heat-treated beech had lower values of modulus of rupture (70 MPa) and density (690 kg/m3) and higher values of compression strength (59 MPa) in relation to un-modified (780 kg/m3) and steamed-treated (800 kg/m3) beech wood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification)
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14 pages, 3140 KB  
Article
Enhancement of Biological Durability and Fire Safety in Wood Modified with Maleic Anhydride and Sodium Hypophosphite
by Injeong Kim, Lone Ross, Gry Alfredsen, Olov Karlsson, Elif Kaynak, Oisik Das, Dennis Jones, George I. Mantanis and Dick Sandberg
Forests 2025, 16(3), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030526 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1485
Abstract
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was modified using maleic anhydride (MA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) to improve its durability against wood-deteriorating fungi, mechanical strength, and fire retardancy (thermal stability). The modification significantly reduced mass loss caused by wood-decaying fungi (Trametes [...] Read more.
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was modified using maleic anhydride (MA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) to improve its durability against wood-deteriorating fungi, mechanical strength, and fire retardancy (thermal stability). The modification significantly reduced mass loss caused by wood-decaying fungi (Trametes versicolor, Rhodonia placenta, and soft rot fungi) due to the formation of cross-links between wood, MA, and SHP, which limited the moisture uptake and altered the chemical structure of wood. On the other hand, the modification did not provide improved resistance to fungi growth on the wood surface, which indicated that the modification had little impact on the accessibility of nutrients on the surface. A bending test showed that the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was not affected by the treatment, whilst the modulus of rupture (MOR) decreased to half the value of untreated wood. Thermal resistance was improved, as demonstrated by micro-scale combustion calorimeter testing, where the total heat release was halved, and the residue percentage nearly doubled. These results indicate that phosphonate protects the modified wood via the formation of a protective char layer on the surface and the formation of radical moieties. Based on the results, wood modified with MA and SHP shows potential for possible use in outdoor, non-loadbearing structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification)
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21 pages, 8422 KB  
Article
Impact of Thermal Treatment and Accelerated Aging on the Chemical Composition, Morphology, and Properties of Spruce Wood
by František Kačík, Jozef Kúdela, Eva Výbohová, Tereza Jurczyková, Iveta Čabalová, Lukáš Adamčík, Elena Kmeťová and Danica Kačíková
Forests 2025, 16(1), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010180 - 19 Jan 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1760
Abstract
Thermal modification improves the properties of wood, especially its stability and durability. We thermally treated spruce wood with the Thermowood process at three temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C, and 210 °C) and subjected it to accelerated aging in wet mode. We evaluated the [...] Read more.
Thermal modification improves the properties of wood, especially its stability and durability. We thermally treated spruce wood with the Thermowood process at three temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C, and 210 °C) and subjected it to accelerated aging in wet mode. We evaluated the chemical composition (wet chemistry, infrared spectroscopy), color, surface morphology, and wetting of the wood surface with water. Thermal treatment caused a significant decrease in hemicelluloses (up to 72.39% at a temperature of 210 °C), which initiated an increase in the content of more resistant wood components—cellulose and lignin. With accelerated aging, the hemicellulose content decreased by another 5%. The most significant differences between the infrared spectra of thermally modified wood before and after exposure to accelerated aging were in the absorption bands of lignin (1509 and 1596 cm−1) and in the region of carbonyl groups between 1800 and 1630 cm−1. Thermal treatment also caused a change in the color of the wood to dark brown; the overall color difference ΔE increased several times. The thermal-induced shortening of polysaccharide fibers and reduction in their width were even more manifested during accelerated aging. This work contains new knowledge about the properties critical for the reuse of thermally modified wood after accelerated aging, simulating the end of its life cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification)
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18 pages, 5170 KB  
Article
Weathering of Wood Modified with Acetic Anhydride—Physical, Chemical, and Aesthetical Evaluation
by Anna Sandak, Oihana Gordobil, Faksawat Poohphajai and Rene Herrera Diaz
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071097 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
The goal of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the natural weathering performance of three wood species representing hardwood and softwood modified with the acetylation process. Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. [...] Read more.
The goal of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the natural weathering performance of three wood species representing hardwood and softwood modified with the acetylation process. Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) were characterised by various techniques to determine the aesthetical, chemical, and physical changes. The overall aesthetic performance of the investigated species was similar, with all showing a change in appearance after 9 months of exposure. However, the multi-sensor approach used for characterisation revealed differences in weathering behaviour related to surface erosion, wettability, and changes in chemical composition between the investigated species. An increase in the surface roughness observed for both hardwoods was associated with the erosion of the wood surface and the leaching of photodegraded chemical components. On the contrary, values of Sa remained relatively constant for acetylated radiata pine. Acetylated pine wood exhibited lower susceptibility to bleaching at the initial stage of the weathering process (3 months) and represented a more constant CIE L* compared to the investigated hardwood species. The contact angle measured with water gradually decreased in the case of acetylated radiata pine for up to six months, then it plateaued with a slight oscillation around 15°. For both hardwood species, the big drop was observed already after three months, followed by rather similar values. The PCA of IR spectra highlighted different mechanisms in the weathering of acetylated softwood and hardwood. The acetylated hardwood samples showed higher thermal stability than acetylated radiata pine. Experimental findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-term performance of acetylated wood, which directly influences its practical applications by enhancing design strategies, maintenance planning, product development, market acceptance, and overall sustainability. Performed tests have demonstrated the potential of underutilised hardwood species, enhanced through the acetylation process, to serve as alternative cladding materials to commonly used acetylated radiata pine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation of Wood After Processing and Modification)
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