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New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 9272

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Prof. Dr. Roman Réh

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Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, SK-960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
Interests: wood-based composites; wood adhesives
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Prof. Dr. Pavlo Bekhta

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Department of Wood-Based Composites, Cellulose and Paper, Ukrainian National Forestry University, 79057 Lviv, Ukraine
Interests: wood science and technology; wood–polymer composites; lignocellulosic based composites; wood modification; wood bonding
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Dr. Luigi Todaro

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School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Science (SAFE), University of Basilicata, V.le Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: wood characterization; extractives; natural resource management; wood modification
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Dr. Ľuboš Krišťák

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Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, SK-960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
Interests: physics; materials; thermal properties; wood sciences; wood physics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood is a natural material, available in large quantities and easy to produce, making it the perfect material to consider for circular economy. Its importance has dramatically increased in recent years. This increase is accompanied by the development of new research methods which open new possibilities in areas related to wood and wood products in the process of their production, processing and final use. The main topics of the Special Issue include: knowledge of the quality of wood and other lignocellulose materials in relation to the processes for their effective utilization and processing for more efficient processing; the adoption of some techniques and research related to using wood for environmentally friendly composite production and the related positive impact on the environment; wood interaction with solid substances and with different mechanical load, chemical and other substances and different forms of energy; surface modification of wood and wood composites.

Prof. Dr. Roman Réh
Prof. Dr. Pavlo Bekhta
Dr. Luigi Todaro
Dr. Ľuboš Krišťák
Guest Editors

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Related Special Issue

New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials II in Polymers (14 articles)

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2709 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Volatile Organic Compounds Arising from Wood Polymers on Thermal Loading of Spruce Wood

by Katarína Trojanová, Veronika Veľková and František Kačík

Polymers 2025, 17(7), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070875 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 246

Abstract

The thermal degradation of wood polymers (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin) results in the production of volatile products, some of which are toxic or act as irritants. In the present work, we focus on the effect of wood treatment on the formation of volatile products, conducting experiments on thermally treated (TTW), flame-retardant-treated (FRW), and untreated (REF) spruce wood. The samples were subjected to thermal loading at 150 °C, 200 °C, and 250 °C with the subsequent collection of degradation products. We evaluated the effect of wood treatment on the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The number and quantity of VOCs are significantly affected by the type of wood treatment and the thermal loading temperature. At the temperature of 250 °C, the concentration and number of VOCs increased significantly. The highest number of VOCs was identified in the untreated wood samples (54 compounds, mostly aldehydes, ketones, and phenols), with a lower number being identified in the flame-retardant-treated samples (9 compounds, mainly furfural) and the lowest number being identified in thermally treated wood samples (3 compounds, aliphatic hydrocarbons). Typical volatile products included furfural, furfurylalcohol, and α-pinene. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of VOCs under thermal loading is important in evaluating the wood burning process and the toxic properties of the consequent gaseous products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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30 pages, 17875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Characterization of Novel Hybrid Particleboard Made from Several Non-Wood Lignocellulosic Materials

by Fazilla Oktaviani Tarigan, Luthfi Hakim, Agus Purwoko, Tito Sucipto, Halimatuddahliana Nasution, Widya Fatriasari, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis, Jajang Sutiawan, Mohammad Irfan Bakhsi, Nam-Hun Kim, Petar Antov, Seng Hua Lee, Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Mohd Hazwan Hussin, Manggar Arum Aristri and Apri Heri Iswanto

Polymers 2025, 17(4), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17040512 - 16 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 689

Abstract

The green transition trend in the wood-based panel industry aims to reduce environmental impact and waste production, and it is a viable approach to meet the increasing global demand for wood and wood-based materials as roundwood availability decreases, necessitating the development of composite products as alternatives to non-wood lignocellulosic raw materials. As a result, the purpose of this study is to examine and assess the physical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of particleboard manufactured from non-wood lignocellulosic biomass. The core layer was composed of non-wood lignocelluloses (banana stem, rice straw, coconut fiber, sugarcane bagasse, and fibrous vascular bundles (FVB) from snakefruit fronds), whereas the surface was made of belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) and wood. The chemical characteristics, fiber dimensions and derivatives, and contact angles of non-wood lignocellulosic materials were investigated. The contact angle, which ranged from 44.57 to 62.37 degrees, was measured to determine the wettability of these materials toward adhesives. Hybrid particleboard (HPb) or sandwich particleboard (SPb) samples of 25 cm × 25 cm with a target density of 0.75 g/cm³ and a thickness of 1 cm were manufactured using 7% isocyanate adhesive (based on raw material oven dry weight). The physical parameters of the particleboard, including density, water content, water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS), ranged from 0.47 to 0.79 g/cm³, 6.57 to 13.78%, 16.46 to 103.51%, and 3.38 to 39.91%, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the particleboard, including the modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR), and internal bond strength (IB), varied from 0.39 to 7.34 GPa, 6.52 to 87.79 MPa, and 0.03 to 0.69 MPa, respectively. On the basis of these findings, the use of non-wood lignocellulosic raw materials represents a viable alternative for the production of high-performance particleboard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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11 pages, 1882 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hot-Pressing Process of Flat-Pressed Wood–Polymer Composites: Theory and Experiment

by Pavlo Lyutyy, Pavlo Bekhta, Yurii Protsyk and Vladimír Gryc

Polymers 2024, 16(20), 2931; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202931 - 18 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1146

Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop a mathematical model of the hot-pressing process for making flat-pressed wood–polymer composites (FPWPCs). This model was used to calculate and predict the temperature and time required for FPWPC pressing. The model’s performance was analysed using the experimental results of hot pressing FPWPCs. It was found that an increase in the content of wood particles led to a rapid increase in the pressing time. The model and experiment showed that the core temperature of the wood–polymer mat remained nearly constant for the first 20–30 s of the hot-pressing process. After this period, this temperature increased rapidly until it reached 100 °C, after which the rate of increase began to decelerate sharply. This transition was more distinct in FPWPCs with a high wood-particle content, while in those with a high thermoplastic-polymer content, it was smoother. Increasing the pressing temperature contributed to a reduction in the time required to heat the FPWPC, as confirmed by both experimental data and the modelling of the hot-pressing process. A decrease in the predicted density of the FPWPC resulted in a directly proportional increase in the time required to heat the mat. Validation of the mathematical model revealed a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of only 2.5%, confirming its high precision and reliability. The developed mathematical model exhibited a high degree of accuracy and can be used for further calculations of the time required for FPWPC pressing, considering variable parameters such as pressing temperature, wood–polymer ratio, mat thickness, and density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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11 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the Heat Flux of the Infrared Heater on the Charring Rate of Spruce Wood

by Alena Párničanová, Martin Zachar and Danica Kačíková

Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2657; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182657 - 20 Sep 2024

Viewed by 812

Abstract

The study investigates the determination of selected fire properties of spruce wood, specifically the charring rate, using a modified testing method described and registered at the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic PUV 50121-2020, utility model no. 9373. The samples were exposed to a square ceramic infrared heater, FTE-750W, with a power output of 750 W, using which we determined the heat flux as a function of voltage (V). Spruce wood specimens with dimensions of 75 mm × 75 mm × 50 mm (l × w × h) were subjected to thermal exposure under heat fluxes of 10, 15, 20, and 25 kW∙m⁻². The charring rate was evaluated using two distinct approaches: the first method measured the thickness of the char layer formed after a duration of 1800 s, while the second method was based on reaching a temperature threshold of 300 °C. The findings demonstrated a positive correlation between the thermal load and the charring rate. The charring rates obtained using the first method ranged from 0.2397 to 0.6933 mm∙min⁻¹, whereas those derived from the second method varied from 0 to 1.0344 mm∙min⁻¹. This suggests that the 300 °C temperature criterion may not be a reliable parameter for calculating the charring rate. The precision of the results was corroborated through numerical simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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12 pages, 3505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Performance of Leather-Finished Plywood

by Yuanyuan Zou, Ziyi Yuan, Yuxin Lu, Xiaoqian Liu, Chuxuan Chen and Lu Fang

Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2587; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182587 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 787

Abstract

In order to achieve batch production, we propose a simple and fast method to prepare leather-finished plywood. In this study, ethylene–vinyl acetate was selected as the intermediate layer to prepare EVA/polyurethane (PU) leather composites. ESEM, tensile property test and compressive property test were used to characterize the microstructure and physical-mechanical properties of the composites. The response surface method (RSM) was also used to explore the relationship between hot pressing temperature, hot pressing pressure and hot pressing time. The significance of the factors and the interactions between the two factors were determined by ANOVA, with the most significant effect being that of the temperature. The theoretical optimal hot pressing process conditions were calculated by the regression equation as a temperature of 124.4 °C, a time of 200 s and a pressure of 1.3 MPa. The surface bond strength of the test specimen measured under this condition was 1.89 MPa, it has good finishing properties and the impregnation peel strength and surface bond strength met the requirements of GB/T 15104-2021. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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19 pages, 8504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discoloration and Surface Changes in Spruce Wood after Accelerated Aging

by Jozef Kúdela, Pavel Ihracký and František Kačík

Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091191 - 24 Apr 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2213

Abstract

Spruce wood is widely used in outdoor applications, but its susceptibility to degradation under exposure to sunlight and moisture is a major concern. This study investigates the impact of accelerated aging on spruce wood’s surface chemistry, microstructure, geometry, and discoloration. The study was performed in two outdoor aging modes: dry and wet. The accelerated aging effects were evident in the changes in spruce wood structure, as well as in the other studied properties. During aging, it developed significant discoloration. Under simulated rainless outdoor conditions (dry mode), spruce wood gradually became dark brown. Under conditions involving rain (wet mode), the discoloration was qualitatively different from the dry mode. FTIR spectroscopy showed that during the accelerated aging of wood, lignin was mainly degraded, especially in the early stages of the process. A linear correlation was found between the changes in lignin and the color changes in the wood. There was an increase in carbonyl groups in the dry mode, which contributed to the color change and was also influenced by changes in extractives. The wet mode caused the leaching out of carbonyl groups. The observed decrease in cellulose crystallinity, together with the degradation of hydrophobic lignin, may result in the increased hydrophilicity of photodegraded wood. For both modes, there were different changes in the wood micro- and macrostructure, reflected in the surface morphology. The roughness increased during the aging process in both modes. The slightest changes in the roughness parameters were identified in the grain direction in the dry mode; the most evident was that the roughness parameters increased perpendicular to the grain in the wet mode. The demonstrated mechanism backing up the aging-related changes to the spruce wood structure and the relations unveiled between these changes and the changes in the spruce wood surface properties can provide an issue point for seeking ways how to mitigate the negative effects of the environmental factors the wood is exposed to. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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17 pages, 7307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Low-Thermal Treatment on the Particle Size Distribution in Wood Dust after Milling

by Martin Júda, Maciej Sydor, Tomasz Rogoziński, Martin Kučerka, Marta Pędzik and Richard Kminiak

Polymers 2023, 15(4), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15041059 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

The thermal treatment of wood can improve the appearance of the wood product’s surface, its dimensional stability, and resistance to fungal attacks. However, the heat treatment changes the technological properties of wood, making it a new engineering material. This work investigates the effect of the low-thermal treatment of birch wood (Betula pendula Roth.), European beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.), and alder wood (Alnus glutinosa L.) on the fine dust particles creation during woodworking. The samples of thermally treated wood with temperatures commonly used for the change of wood colour (105, 125, and 135 °C) were compared with reference samples made of natural wood. All 12 variants of the tested woods were milled using the 5-axis CNC machining center (20 mm diamond cutter, rotational speed 18,000 rev·min⁻¹, the depth of cut 3 mm, feed rates of 2, 4 and 6 m∙min⁻¹). A sieving analysis method allowed measuring the dust particle size distributions in all dust samples. The experiment’s result analysis points out that wood type, thermal treatment, and feed rate meaningfully affect the size distribution of dust particles. Compared to birch wood and beech wood, the milling of alder wood samples created a much higher content of the finest dust particles, with particle sizes smaller than 0.032 mm. Increased temperatures in thermal treatment increase the share of fine dust particles with sizes smaller than 0.125 mm, compared to wood in its natural state. Milling with a lower feed rate (2 m·min⁻¹) creates finer dust than processing with higher feed rates (4 and 6 m·min⁻¹). Generally, the milling of alder in a natural or thermally treated state is a source of fine dust particles, particularly at low feed speed-rate milling, compared to birch and beech wood. In general, these results indicate that the low temperature thermal treatment parameters attribute new technological properties to all thermally modified types of wood tested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Wood and Wood-Based Materials III)

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