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Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 8755

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dorota Dukarska

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Department of Mechanical Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 38/42, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
Interests: wood sciences and technology; wood-based materials; lignocellulosic composites; adhesives; adhesives modification; bio-based adhesives; formaldehyde emission
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Dr. Jakub Kawalerczyk

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Interests: glulam beams; adhesives; wood-based materials; mechanical properties; timber properties; wood defects
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern construction approaches are placing increasing emphasis on sustainable building materials, including those that are wood-based. Wood, a natural and renewable resource, is thus becoming a crucial element in the path towards sustainable construction. This Special Issue focuses on the use of wood and wood-based materials, considering both their construction and insulation applications, joining and bonding methods, and protection against biotic and abiotic factors. In the context of sustainable construction. It is important to gain an understanding of diverse wood-based materials used in building construction in the broadest sense. Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to analyze such usage, as well as in interior fittings or prefabricated elements. An important aspect of this Special Issue is also the use of these materials to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce material intensity. This issue is also addressed to researchers who are focused on modern wood bonding/joining techniques that affect not only construction strength but also building time and costs. In addition, it will address new wood preservation strategies, modern impregnation, and surface-finishing techniques for structural timber and wood-based materials that ensure durability and aesthetics. Since environmental aspects play an important role in sustainable construction, this Special Issue also focuses on the benefits of using wood-based materials in buildings and ways to minimize negative environmental impacts, such as waste management and renewable resources. The included articles should demonstrate the comprehensiveness of using wood-based materials in sustainable construction and encourage further research and innovation in this field.

We are delighted to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full articles, communications, and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dorota Dukarska
Dr. Jakub Kawalerczyk
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 and wood-based materials as a sustainable building resource
construction and insulating wood-based materials
composite materials in modern wood construction
green composites
biomass in the manufacture of insulation materials
the role of wood and wood-based materials in reducing carbon emissions
joining techniques for wood and wood-based materials
eco-friendly adhesives
the environmental engineering of eco-friendly materials
the protection of wood and wood-based materials from biotic and abiotic factors
energy-efficient construction solutions based on wood and wood-based materials
a healthy indoor environment in wooden buildings
innovative technologies for the prefabrication of building construction elements
evaluation criteria for sustainable building materials
fire safety in wooden buildings
the durability of wooden buildings in the long term.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Pine and Birch Juvenile Wood for Low-Density Particleboard Production

by Rafał Czarnecki, Dorota Dukarska, Jakub Kawalerczyk and Arkadiusz Filipski

Materials 2025, 18(5), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051140 - 4 Mar 2025

Viewed by 812

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of using juvenile pine and birch wood for the production of particleboards with lowered density, glued with urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin. The wood used was characterized by a number of annual rings ranging from 5 to 13, which ensured that only juvenile wood was used in the study. In addition to the basic characteristics of the wood particles obtained from this type of raw material, the density profiles of the manufactured particleboards, the internal bond, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, swelling, and water absorption after short-term water exposure (2 h) were also investigated. The results were compared to particleboards made from industrial wood particles from mature wood. It was found that particleboards made from juvenile pine wood exhibited higher internal bond than those made from juvenile birch wood. The bending strength of boards made from both types of juvenile wood was comparable to that of industrial particleboards; however, the modulus of elasticity of the particleboards made from juvenile pine was lower, which indicates reduced stiffness. These particleboards also showed higher swelling and water absorption, which may limit their durability under humid conditions. In contrast, birch boards exhibited lower internal bond, but their bending strength and modulus of elasticity were similar to those of industrial particles-based particleboards. Birch boards also showed slightly better water resistance than pine particleboards made from juvenile wood. However, their swelling remained higher than that of industrial particleboards. Overall, particleboards made from juvenile wood, especially birch, show good potential for further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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20 pages, 4513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supporting Circular Economy Principles by Recycling Window Frames into Particleboard

by Anita Wronka and Grzegorz Kowaluk

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164132 - 21 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1335

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify limiting factors for reusing wood through the recycling of window frames by conducting research under fully controlled conditions. The research involved manufacturing new window frames, seasoning them, and then shredding them into wood particles to prepare a three-layer particleboard. The proportion of wood particles in recycling was 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 parts by weight of the manufactured particleboard. Mechanical property tests were conducted: modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB), screw withdrawal resistance (SWR), and physical properties: density profile (DP), thickness swelling (TS) after water immersion, water absorption (WA), as well as formaldehyde emission and total volatile organic compound (TVOCs) tests. The research indicates a significant potential for utilizing wood from this sector of the wood industry, particularly considering variants with a higher proportion of recycled wood. MOR and MOE results are most promising for variants above 50 parts by weight of recycled wood. Based on the results obtained, it is clear that the production process should be improved or the raw material modified to enhance the internal bonding of particleboard, as these results were the weakest. Thus, recycled wood from window joinery has the potential to be reincarnated as particleboard, which continues to be widely used in their production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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14 pages, 3478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Various Modifications of Hazelnut Shell Flour as Potential Filler in Plywood Technology

by Marta Wronka, Damian Wojnicz and Grzegorz Kowaluk

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164128 - 20 Aug 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1225

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of utilizing hazelnut shells (HS) as an innovative filler in three-layer plywood technology, addressing the growing need for sustainable, high-performance materials. Traditional plywood production relies on adhesives enhanced with various fillers to improve physical, mechanical, and operational characteristics. This research explores using native, chemically modified, and activated carbon derived from hazelnut shells as fillers in urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin. The produced plywood’s mechanical properties, water absorption, and formaldehyde emissions were thoroughly analyzed. Key findings demonstrate that incorporating 10 part by weight (pbw) native hazelnut shell flour significantly enhances the modulus of rupture (MOR) to 138.6 N mm⁻² and modulus of elasticity (MOE) to 13,311 N mm⁻². Chemically modified hazelnut shell flour achieves optimal results at 5 pbw, while activated carbon from hazelnut shells, even at 1 pbw, markedly improves bonding strength (2.79 N mm⁻² referred to 0.81 N mm⁻² for reference sample without filler added). Notably, activated carbon effectively reduces formaldehyde emissions (2.72 mg 100 g⁻¹ oven dry panel referred to 3.32 mg 100 g⁻¹ oven dry panel for reference samples with 10 pbw filler) and improves water resistance, indicating better further dimensional stability and lower environmental impact. The study also shows that excessive filler content negatively affects strength parameters, confirming the importance of optimizing filler concentration. These results highlight the potential of hazelnut shells as an eco-friendly alternative filler in plywood production, contributing to waste valorization and environmental sustainability. This study supports the practical application of hazelnut shell fillers, promoting a circular economy and reducing reliance on traditional, less sustainable materials, thus providing a valuable solution for the wood composite industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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12 pages, 4808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Fibrous Mat Residues from Upholstered Furniture as Sustainable Fillers in Plywood Production

by Katarzyna Bartoszuk and Grzegorz Kowaluk

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164080 - 16 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1197

Abstract

Nonwoven upholstery fabric is a waste product which is mainly generated during upholstered furniture production. The polyester composition makes it problematic to recycle and reuse this product. This study examined the manufacturing process of nonwoven fabric-reinforced plywood composites and their selected mechanical and physical properties. Nonwoven fabric was integrated between veneers bound with urea–formaldehyde resin to improve standard layered composites’ mechanical and physical properties. Several board variants were produced, differing in the position of the nonwoven layers in the composite structure. The composites were evaluated for modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond, and screw withdrawal resistance, among others. The results showed that the addition of nonwoven fabric significantly improved some properties, like internal bond and screw withdrawal resistance. Variants with strategically placed nonwoven layers showed the highest performance increases. The results underscore the potential of nonwoven fabric as an effective reinforcing material, offering a path to developing high-performance plywood composites suitable for demanding applications. Another environmental advantage is that the nonwoven fabric waste used in the tested plywood production has not been subjected to burning or landfilling but, through its incorporation into plywood structure, has positively contributed to the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy. The findings advocate for a circular economy approach, in which industrial waste is effectively repurposed, contributing to the development of green materials in the wood-based composite industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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14 pages, 4558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selected Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Manufactured from Plantation Willow and Poplar Wood

by Bartłomiej Żabowski, Anita Wronka and Grzegorz Kowaluk

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164069 - 16 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1438

Abstract

This research focuses on producing particleboards from the biomass of plantation willow (Salix viminalis L.) and poplar (Populus spp.), aiming to explore their feasibility as sustainable materials for various applications. Fast-growing willow and poplar are known for their rapid growth and suitability for energy production. They present an intriguing alternative as raw materials with added value for particleboard manufacturing. This study investigates the selected mechanical and physical properties of the produced particleboards, considering parameters such as density profile, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, water absorption, thickness swelling, and screw withdrawal resistance. The research results were also compared between different mass shares of willow and poplar particles in the particleboards. The results show that the panels produced entirely from the tested alternative raw materials had a modulus of rupture of 21.7 N mm⁻² compared to 14.6 N mm⁻² for the reference panels, with an internal bond of about 2.02 N mm⁻² compared to 0.65 N mm⁻² for the reference panels. The thickness swelling after 24 h of soaking was about 24.2% compared to 42.2% for reference panels. The findings underscore the promising potential of willow and poplar-based particleboards as eco-friendly alternatives in the construction and furniture industries, contributing to resource efficiency and carbon emission reduction efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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14 pages, 4025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Analysis of Bonding in Steel Glued into Pine Timber

by Adam Derkowski, Monika Chuda-Kowalska, Jakub Kawalerczyk, Dorota Dziurka and Radoslaw Mirski

Materials 2024, 17(16), 3897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17163897 - 6 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1024

Abstract

Combining steel with wood has been practised for many years. The issue is related to two main areas, i.e., bonding steel elements with wood so that they serve as connectors facilitating the assembly of wood elements and bonding steel elements to wood beams to improve their load-bearing capacity. In the first case, the adhesives used may be relatively expensive and more difficult to apply, whereas in the second one, especially when steel elements are glued inside the glulam (GL) beams, it is better if the adhesives used are more accessible to apply and cheaper. As it seems rational to reinforce wood with high-modulus ties, research has been carried out to compare the connection quality of commercially available adhesives that can be used for this purpose. Moreover, thermosetting adhesives have been applied as an alternative and cheaper solution. Thermostat adhesives also have a high pH of the bond, which prevents the steel from rusting. The research shows that the load-bearing capacity of the bond depends on whether the bars are ribbed or sheet metal. Moreover, among thermosetting adhesives, the most favourable load-bearing values were obtained using a mixture of PF/pMDI (phenol formaldehyde resin/polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate) and powder from recycled tyres. The shear strength of these joints was 1.63 N/mm² and 3.14 N/mm² for flat specimens and specimens with ribbed bars, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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13 pages, 8698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Major Physical and Mechanical Properties of Trembling Aspen Lumber

by Dawei Wang, Mengyuan Zhang, Meng Gong and Ying-Hei Chui

Materials 2024, 17(12), 2952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122952 - 17 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 989

Abstract

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is one of the major species within Populus, a predominant genus of hardwoods in North America. However, its utilization has been limited to pulp and paper or wood-based composite boards. This study aimed at evaluating the major physical and mechanical properties of trembling aspen lumber, with an ultimate objective of using this species to produce engineered wood products (EWPs). The testing materials consisted of 2 × 4 (38 mm × 89 mm) trembling aspen lumber pieces in lengths of 8, 10, and 12 feet (2.44, 3.05, and 3.66 m) with two visual grades, select structural (SS) and No. 2. Machine Stress-Rated (MSR), and longitudinal stress wave (LSW), edgewise third-point bending (EWB), and axial tension tests were conducted on the lumber. It was found that, (1) by increasing the maximum knot size by a half-inch from one-quarter inch, the minimum modulus of elasticity (MOE) measured using the MSR, the mean, and the fifth-percentile ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreased by about 8.8%, 20.1%, and 29.8%, respectively. (2) Approximately 44% of the trembling aspen lumber met the 1450f-1.3E grade for MSR lumber, and 62% qualified for the 1200f-1.2E grade. (3) There was a great potential for manufacturing cross-laminated timber (CLT) of grade E3, with a rejection rate of about 29%. (4) The mean UTS and MOE values of the SS-grade trembling aspen lumber were 22.88 MPa and 9519 MPa, respectively, being 25.5% and 11.3% lower than that of Spruce–Pine–Fir (S-P-F) lumber. The fifth-percentile UTS and MOE values were 11.57 MPa and 7404 MPa, respectively, marking a decrease of 13.3% and 1.5% compared to the S-P-F lumber. (5) The oven-dried specific gravity (SG) of the trembling aspen wood was 0.40, which was about 3.5% larger than the value provided in the Wood Handbook. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Wood-Based Materials for Sustainable Building)

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