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Forests
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Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future
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Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future

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 September 2022) | Viewed by 13835

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Roberto Zanuttini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DISAFA—Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Interests: wood-science and technology; plywood and wood-based products; research and development in timber processing; material and use; valorization of local timber; legality and certification in wood supplying; standardization in the wood field
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesco Negro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DISAFA—Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Interests: physico-mechanical properties of wood; wood-based products; wood processing; wood modification; natural durability of wood; structural timber; innovation and development; sustainability; regulations and standards in the wood sector
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern society needs materials and products characterized by improved performance, reduced costs and low environmental impact. Wood-based composites (WBCs) are able to provide such answers. The combination of wood with other materials, in fact, results in products with improved properties compared to those of the individual components.

The technological and scientific evolution in recent decades has enabled the manufacturing of new and high-performing wood-based composites. Their assembly processes are usually constituted by various steps, including bonding, treatment, and finishing. Nowadays, WBCs are used in several sectors, including transport, marine, building, and furniture. They are appreciated in many applications, where they exhibit different properties, often simultaneously: lightness, mechanical strength, thermal or acoustic insulation, improved durability, decorative aspect, etc.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect cutting-edge research focused on performance, costs, and/or sustainability of innovative wood-based composites. Although not exclusively, the WBCs considered here are those in which wood is combined with other materials and/or different wood species (e.g., layered panels, sandwich structures, wood-plastic composites, products made of recycled raw materials, etc.).

Prof. Dr. Roberto Zanuttini
Dr. Francesco Negro
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

  • bonding quality
  • characterization
  • decorative appearance
  • mechanical and functional properties
  • sustainability
  • production process
  • structural and non-structural uses
  • wood-based composites

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 653 KiB  
Editorial
Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future
by Roberto Zanuttini and Francesco Negro
Forests 2021, 12(12), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121717 - 7 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3271
Abstract
The term wood-based composite (WBC) is used to define a wide range of products in which wood is bonded together with other wooden or non-wooden materials [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)

Research

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9 pages, 3244 KiB  
Article
The Separation Mechanism of Bamboo Bundles at Cellular Level
by Xiu Hao, Xinchi Tian, Shunong Li, Chunmei Yang, Yanglun Yu and Wenji Yu
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1897; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111897 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Bamboo bundles with linear cracks were produced using mechanical treatments that were more environmentally friendly and more efficient than chemical decomposition and steam explosion. This study presented the separation mechanism by analyzing the structure, micro-mechanical properties and chemical constituent of bamboo bundles at [...] Read more.
Bamboo bundles with linear cracks were produced using mechanical treatments that were more environmentally friendly and more efficient than chemical decomposition and steam explosion. This study presented the separation mechanism by analyzing the structure, micro-mechanical properties and chemical constituent of bamboo bundles at the cellular level. The micro X-ray tomography technology (u-CT) morphology of bamboo and bamboo bundles presented that the separation of bamboo bundles was caused by crack propagation, which was related to the structure of the cell types in bamboo. Field emission scanning microscopy (SEM) was performed to observe the appearance of bamboo bundles at the cellular level, which illustrated that the cracks were prone to grow in the middle lamella (ML) in fiber cells and parenchymal cells. The nanoindentation technique and Raman microscopy was used to illustrate that the middle lamella (ML)with low indentation moduli and high lignin content was the weak structure in bamboo. This is interpreted as how the structure and mechanical properties contributed to the separation of the bamboo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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20 pages, 4120 KiB  
Article
Thermal Modification and Alkyl Ketene Dimer Effects on the Surface Protection of Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara Roxb.) Wood
by Teresa Lovaglio, Maurizio D’Auria, Wolfgang Gindl-Altmutter, Valentina Lo Giudice, Fausto Langerame, Anna Maria Salvi and Luigi Todaro
Forests 2022, 13(10), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101551 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1261
Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the multiple effects of both thermal modification and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) on the deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara Roxb.) wood surface, before and after an irradiation test. The physical and chemical changes that occurred [...] Read more.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the multiple effects of both thermal modification and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) on the deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara Roxb.) wood surface, before and after an irradiation test. The physical and chemical changes that occurred on the cedar wood samples due to the combined effect of these modifications were evaluated by measuring their wettability and colour and using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The surface analysis by XPS showed the expected variability among the sampled layers for unmodified and thermally modified cedar wood samples and a uniform composition after the AKD coverage, regardless of their pre-treatments. The FTIR spectra before the irradiation test showed that the hydrophobicity of the samples was ensured by the formation of carbonyl groups originating from the reaction between the AKD and hydroxyl groups of cellulose, which is related to the presence of the absorption band between 1700 cm−1 and 1750 cm−1. Markedly, after the irradiation test, a degradation of the amorphous cellulose component occurred, showing that photoisomerisation to the enolic form took place. Overall, although uniform AKD coverage was derived from the surface analysis and wetting test, the combined ATR-FTIR results and colour measurements showed that it could not provide permanent protection to the underlying wood structure due to its own tendency to degrade mainly in colour over time, under the action of UV rays and atmospheric agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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10 pages, 1324 KiB  
Article
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Oriented Strand Board Made from Eastern Canadian Softwood Species
by Biaorong Zhuang, Alain Cloutier and Ahmed Koubaa
Forests 2022, 13(4), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040523 - 29 Mar 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2306
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the feasibility of producing OSB from softwood species used in the Eastern Canadian softwood lumber industry in the context of the overcapacity of softwood chips traditionally produced for the pulp and paper industry. Balsam fir, black spruce, and [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the feasibility of producing OSB from softwood species used in the Eastern Canadian softwood lumber industry in the context of the overcapacity of softwood chips traditionally produced for the pulp and paper industry. Balsam fir, black spruce, and jack pine logs were used to make 15 mm thick OSB panels with a target density of 600 kg/m3. The panels were manufactured at a temperature of 210 °C during a pressing cycle of 300 s. Strands with different thicknesses were used to obtain a constant specific surface of 6.7 m2/kg for the three species. The bending modulus of the rupture and modulus of elasticity, internal bond, and thickness swelling of the OSB panels were determined and compared to the CSA standard requirements. The species significantly affected the physical and mechanical properties of OSB. The bending properties of OSB decreased with an increase in the species wood density. The internal bond strength of OSB increased with the increase in species wood density. The panels made from softwood species showed physical and mechanical properties exceeding the standard requirements, except for high thickness swelling. The combination of softwood and aspen strands significantly improved the thickness swelling of softwood-based OSB. The reduction in the surface layer density could also be explored to reduce the thickness swelling of the OSB made from the softwoods considered in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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13 pages, 4892 KiB  
Article
Resin Transfer Molding of Wood Strand Composite Panels
by Benjamin Gartner, Vikram Yadama and Lloyd Smith
Forests 2022, 13(2), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020278 - 9 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1792
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop high-performance wood strand panels for automotive application using resin transfer and compression resin transfer molding technologies. Wood strand preforms bonded with 1%, 5%, and 20% by weight low-density polyethylene and 1% by weight high-density polyethylene [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to develop high-performance wood strand panels for automotive application using resin transfer and compression resin transfer molding technologies. Wood strand preforms bonded with 1%, 5%, and 20% by weight low-density polyethylene and 1% by weight high-density polyethylene were impregnated with resin during the molding process and compared. The results showed that 1% low-density polyethylene is sufficient to bind wood strands into a stable preform for handling and processing. Permeability measurements using a volumetric interpretation of Darcy’s law accounted for resin flow through the thickness of the preform. When compared with previously published data on other natural fiber composites, resin transfer molded wood strand composites generally exhibited superior mechanical properties and significantly greater dimensional stability when exposed to moisture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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23 pages, 26566 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Bending Strength of MDF Faced, Polyurethane Foam-Cored Sandwich Panels Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
by Morteza Nazerian, Fateme Naderi, Ali Partovinia, Antonios N. Papadopoulos and Hamed Younesi-Kordkheili
Forests 2021, 12(11), 1514; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111514 - 2 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
The present study evaluates and compares predictions on the performance and the approaches of the response surface methodology (RSM) and the artificial neural network (ANN) so to model the bending strength of the polyurethane foam-cored sandwich panel. The effect of the independent variables [...] Read more.
The present study evaluates and compares predictions on the performance and the approaches of the response surface methodology (RSM) and the artificial neural network (ANN) so to model the bending strength of the polyurethane foam-cored sandwich panel. The effect of the independent variables (formaldehyde to urea molar ratio (MR), sandwich panel thickness (PT) and the oxidized protein to melamine-urea-formaldehyde synthesized resin weight ratio (WR)) was examined based on the bending strength by the central composite design of the RSM and the multilayer perceptron of the ANN. The models were statistically compared based on the training and validation data sets via the determination coefficient (R2), the root mean squares error (RMSE), the absolute average deviation (AAD) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The R2 calculated for the ANN and the RSM models was 0.9969 and 0.9960, respectively. The models offered good predictions; however, the ANN model was more precise than the RSM model, thus proving that the ANN and the RSM models are valuable instruments to model and optimize the bending properties of the sandwich panel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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Other

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5 pages, 1264 KiB  
Technical Note
Technical Assessment of the Bonding Quality of Composite Plywood with a Thin Cork Core
by Francesco Negro, Roberta Bigando, Flavio Ruffinatto and Roberto Zanuttini
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1839; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111839 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1119
Abstract
The bonding quality is a key property for wood-based composites. Determination of the bonding quality of sandwich panels with veneer faces and <50 mm thick cork core is not covered either by the EN 314-1, which refers to plywood, nor by its Annex [...] Read more.
The bonding quality is a key property for wood-based composites. Determination of the bonding quality of sandwich panels with veneer faces and <50 mm thick cork core is not covered either by the EN 314-1, which refers to plywood, nor by its Annex B, which refers to insulating cores with a thickness of at least 50 mm. This technical note assesses the possibility of using the prescriptions of Annex B of EN 314-1 to test the bonding quality (shear strength) of the concerned panels. For this purpose, sandwich panels were realized by bonding fromager (Ceiba pentandra) veneers to a 5 mm thick core, and their bonding quality was tested. Two types of panels were realized, based on the adhesive used (glue spread 340 g/m2 for double glue lines): urea–formaldehyde (UF) and urea–melamine–formaldehyde (UMF); the panels were pressed at 103 °C for 8 min at a nominal pressure of 0.4 MPa. Pre-treatments were dry-conditioned at 20 °C/65% relative humidity until attainment of the equilibrium moisture content, and immersed in water: cold water for UF panels (5.1.1 of EN 314-2) and boiling water for UMF panels (5.1.2 of EN 314-2). The effect of pre-treatment was statistically significant, with shear resistance reductions of 56% and 43% in UF and UMF panels, respectively. Based on this first investigation (2 panels × 10 specimens per panel = 40 specimens), the test method can be considered suitable for providing reliable results. This study constitutes a useful reference to test the bonding quality of sandwich panels with veneer faces and thin cork cores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood-Based Composites: Innovation towards a Sustainable Future)
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