Hygroscopic thickness swelling rate of composites from sawdust and recycled plastics

The thickness swelling rates of compression molded wood plastic composites (WPCs) prepared from 50% by weight sawdust and 50% by weight virgin and/or recycled plastics (HDPE and PP) were studied. Thickness swelling rates of the manufactured WPCs were evaluated by immersing them in water at room temperature and monitoring thickness changes for several weeks. A swelling model developed by Shi and Gardner (Composites Part A, 37:1276–1285, 2006) was used to study the thickness swelling process of WPCs. The parameter K _SR of the model can be used to quantify the swelling rate. The results indicated that composites containing PP had lower equilibrium thickness swelling and also shorter equilibrium time (time to reach equilibrium thickness swelling). The swelling model developed was a good predictor of the hygroscopic swelling process of wood plastic composites. Composites containing PP (virgin and recycled) had higher K _SR than those containing HDPE. The minimum and maximum K _SR values were observed in composites made of virgin HDPE and a mixture of recycled plastics, respectively. With increasing recycled plastic content K _SR linearly decreased.     

Bending creep behavior of hot-pressed wood under cyclic moisture change conditions

This study examined the bending creep behavior of hot-pressed wood during cyclic moisture changes. Sugi (Cryptomerica japonica D. Don) specimens were pressed in the radial direction under six combinations of nominal compressive strain (33% and 50%) and press temperatures (140°C, 170°C, 200°C). Creep tests were conducted at 20°C with three cyclic relative humidity changes between 65% and 95% under 25% of short-breaking stress. The effect of moisture content (MC) change on elastic compliance and mechanosorptive (MS) compliance was investigated. The relation between MS compliance and thickness swelling was studied. The results indicated that total compliance increased over the history of cyclic moisture changes; and its behavior was closely related to the changes in MC and thickness swelling. The total compliance increased during adsorption and decreased during desorption. Elastic compliance increased linearly with MC and was dependent on press temperature and compression. With increasing MC change, MS compliance increased during adsorption and decreased during desorption. The first adsorption led to greater MS compliance than did the subsequent adsorption with the same amount of MC change. In general, the elastic parameterK _E and the MS parameterK _Mincreased with compression and decreased as the press temperature increased. The MS parameterK _M was apparently greater than the elastic parameterK _E. The MS parameterK _M increased with swelling coefficient K_SW of the hot-pressed specimen during adsorption and decreased with an increasing shrinkage coefficientK _SH during desorption.     

Characterization of the surface properties of β-CD-CA-wood flour polymer by inverse gas chromatography

Poplar wood flour, a low-cost and abundantly available material, was modified by grafting β-cyclodextrin in the presence of citric acid, aiming to expand the application of wood flour. The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the technique of the phenolphthalein probe. By the technique of inverse gas chromatography and the method of Hamieh, the values of surface free energy and nonpolar part of the free energy were obtained. The results demonstrate that the dispersive component of the surface free energy of the products will increase with temperature increases, and the product presents a Lewis basic character with K _b/K _a = 3.67. Based on the structure of the product, the basicity comes from two parts. One is the rich electronic environment of the β-CD inner cavity, and the other is the formation of ester bonds through crosslinking between β-CD and wood flour by CA.     

Canopy leaching of subtropical mixed forests under acid rain

Leaching of major ions from acid precipitation in a subtropical forest was examined based on an experiment in four sample sites in Shaoshan City, Hunan Province, China, from January 2001 to June 2002. Results clearly show that when rain passed through the canopy, pH increased and the evidence of ion uptake was presented for SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Mg²⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ ions, especially of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻. The percentages of dissolved SO₄ ²⁻, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ show a decreasing trend with increasing rainfall. Percentages of leaching Ca²⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ ions show an increasing trend as a function of increased pH values. The forest canopy in Shaoshan City has a strong effect on the uptake of SO₄ ²⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ ions under acid rain conditions. The decreasing order of ions leaching in the forest canopy is as follows: K⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Cl⁻ > Mg²⁺ > SO₄ ²⁻ > NO₃ ⁻ > NH₄ ⁺ > Na⁺. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(7): 1–4 [译自: 林业科学]     

Relationship between crack propagation and the stress intensity factor in cutting parallel to the grain of hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>)

The method of digital image correlation (DIC) was applied to the digital image of orthogonal cutting parallel to the grain of hinoki, and the strain distribution near the cutting edge was evaluated. The wood fracture associated with chip generation was considered as mode I fracture, and the stress intensity factor K_I for fracture mode I was calculated from the strain distribution according to the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics for the anisotropic material. The calculated K_I increased prior to crack propagation and decreased just after the crack propagation. The change in K_I before and after crack propagation, ΔK_I, decreased in accordance with the crack propagation length, although the variance in ΔK_I should depend on the relationships between the resolution of DIC method and the dimensions of cellular structure. The calculated K_I in this study was almost on the same order as reported in the literatures. It was also revealed, for the case of chip generation Type 0 or I, the stress intensity factor for fracture mode II could be negligible due to the higher longitudinal elastic properties of wood in the tool feed direction than the one radial ones, and the mode I fracture was dominant.     

Chemical modification of wood by non-formaldehyde cross-linking reagents

Summary The probability of bond between wood components and glyoxal was examined by means of a mechanical method, infrared (IR) spectrometry, and solid state ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. The successive fixation of a compressed wood by the glyoxal treatment suggested the formation of cross-linkings between wood components and/or wood structures. The IR spectra showed that ester bond as well as ether bond was formed between wood components and glyoxal. The existence of linkages between glyoxal and cellulose was indicated also from the NMR spectra. The addition of glycol to the glyoxal solution was investigated from the viewpoint of stabilizing effect of the linkages. When 0.2 mole ratio of glycol was added to 5–10% glyoxal solution, weight gain and antiswelling efficiency (ASE) were largest, however the addition of excessive amount of glycol did not advance further the weight gain and ASE. When an appropriate amount of glycol was added to the impregnation solution, both weight and ASE did not largely reduce even by the repeated hot water soaking. By the treatment without glycol, the dimensional stability after water soaking was attributed to only restraint of the swelling. On the other hand, when the glycol was added, the dimensional stability was developed not only by the restraint of the swelling but also by the buckling effect.We would like to thank Associate Professor Dr. Umezawa, Wood Research Institute, Kyoto University, for his invaluable support in NMR analysis. Thanks are also due to Dr. Inoue, Wood Research Institute, Kyoto University, for his preparing the wood specimens.     

Morphological changes of Japanese beech treated with the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

The morphological changes in wood tissues of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) upon treatment with the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim][Cl]), which can dissolve cellulose, were investigated. Treatment with [C2mim][Cl] induced significant swelling of all wood tissues. However, the swelling behavior of wood fibers was different from that of vessels. Intervascular pits were occluded, and pit membranes in ray-vessel pits were broken after treatment with [C2mim][Cl]. No significant differences in swelling behavior were found between latewood and earlywood, although different morphological changes for latewood and earlywood during [C2mim][Cl] treatment were seen in our previous studies on sugi (Cryptomeria japonica). We have found that the effects of [C2mim][Cl] on Japanese beech tissues are inhomogeneous and different from those found for other wood species.     

Chemical characterization of the ashes of some African hardwoods

Summary Eight African hardwoods of commercial interest (Mimusops djave; Mitragyna ciliata; Celtis mildbraedii; Antiaris africana; Terminalia superba; Daniella ogea; Entandrophragma cylindricum; and Afrormosia elata) were ashed. The percentage ash content of the woods was determined and the ash samples were analysed for soluble base (as K₂CO₃), Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. A link between the densities of the woods and the Ca²⁺ content of their ash was established.     

Electrical transport of endogenous mineral ions in green sapwood ofPinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine)

Summary The relative migration of the major endogenous ions (K⁺, Ca²⁺ Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl^– in green sapwood ofPinus sylvestris L. was measured in a modified Hittorf transference cell. The transference numbers obtained gave the fractions of the current carried by these ions when an electric field was applied across the wood samples under the conditions used.Potassium and calcium ions were always found to be the main endogenous current carriers, followed by magnesium, sodium and chloride ions. No significant differences in transference number were found between wood stored under refrigeration or in a deep freeze, nor was there any effect on prior -irradiation. Fungal contamination in a few non-irradiated specimens led to lower transference numbers. Changes in moisture content from 86 to 141% produced no significant change but the results did depend on the tree from which the samples had been taken. A decrease in the length of the wood sample from 100 to 50 mm had little effect on the transference numbers of calcium ions but caused a decrease in those of potassium when larger quantities of electricity were passed. Transversely- and longitudinally-oriented wood samples, however, gave very similar results. Visual observation of the anode compartment indicated that the ions followed the path of least resistance between cathode and anode and that the current passed along the grain of the wood.Symbols c_i molar concentration of ion i - F Faraday's constant (96 494 C/mol) - I current - t time - t_i transference number of ion i (also shown as t(i) in tables) - V volume of electrode compartment - Z_i charge number of ion i The authors thank SERC and Rentokil PLC for the award of a CASE Research Studentship to P.J.S. and the Leverhulme Trust for the award of an Emeritus Fellowship to M.S.     

Factors influencing retention behavior of aluminum compounds on handsheets

Handsheets were prepared with aluminum sulfate under various conditions of pulp suspension, and factors influencing retention behavior of aluminum components on the handsheets were studied on the basis of their aluminum contents. When deionized water was used in the handsheet-making process, aluminum contents in the handsheets had a plateau level of 0.7mg/g in the range of 1%–8% Al₂(SO₄)₃ addition levels on dry weight of pulp. On the other hand, when tap water was used aluminum contents increased up to 5.6 mg/g, increasing the Al₂(SO₄)₃ addition levels to 8%. The high aluminum contents in the handsheets are explained in terms of pH and the presence of calcium ions from the tap water used. Cationic aluminum species, which are formed from aluminum sulfate added to pulp suspensions, are primarily adsorbed on pulp fibers by electrostatic interactions with carboxyl groups in the pulp, competing with OH^– ions in water. These aluminum components, once adsorbed on pulp fibers by ionic interactions, are not removed from the fibers by extending the stirring time of the pulp suspensions.This research was presented in part at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, April 1998     

重庆酸雨区缙云山典型林分冠层酸雨淋洗特征

选取重庆缙云山的针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林、毛竹林、灌木林4种典型林分,观测酸性降水过程中林外雨、穿透雨及干流等林内水分转换分量中的主要离子含量变化,分析林分冠层对雨水化学组成的影响,结果表明:(1)降雨中的离子当量浓度大小依次是SO42-＞Ca2+＞ NH4+＞Mg2+＞K+＞Na+＞NO3-;(2)降雨经过林冠层后pH值降低,干流的酸化程度增加最大;(3)降雨经林冠层后离子浓度明显增加(除灌木林),穿透雨中通量增加最大的阴离子和阳离子分别为SO42-(2.19×103～6.47×103 eq·hm-2)和Ca2+(1.41×103～3.39×103 eq-hm-2),离子来源主要为大气沉降和植物分泌物或淋出;(4)同一离子在不同林分的干流和穿透雨中的通量变化不同,反映出不同林分冠层的离子交换性差异.在针阔混交林中,林下降雨净淋溶量大小顺序为SO42-＞Ca2+＞ NO3-＞K+＞NH4+＞Mg2+＞ Na+;常绿阔叶林为SO42-＞ Ca2+＞ K+＞NO3-＞ NH4+＞ Mg2+ ＞Na+;毛竹林为Ca2+＞ SO42-＞ K+＞NO3-＞ NH4+＞Na+＞Mg2+;灌木林为Ca2+＞ NO3-＞ K+＞ Na+＞Mg2+＞ NH4+＞ SO42-.     

Condensation reactions of phenolic resins VII: catalytic effect of sodium bicarbonate for the condensation of hydroxymethylphenols

This article describes the catalytic effect of NaHCO₃ on condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxymethylphenols (HMPs) to elucidate the cure-acceleration mechanism. By comparison of the kinetics of self-condensations of HMPs, NaHCO₃ was proved to increase the reactivity of para-hydroxymethyl groups. The changes of ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts on each HMP system with the additive indicated that the addition of NaHCO₃ enhanced some molecular interactions between HMPs and NaHCO₃, facilitating a resonance effect that might play a similar role in dissociation of the phenolic hydroxyl groups of HMPs. In addition, computational modeling by molecular orbital calculations elucidated that hydrogen carbonate anion (HCO ₃ ⁻ ) forms an interaction between either the para-hydroxymethyl group and the phenolic hydroxyl group or between the two para-hydroxymethyl groups of HMPs by hydrogen bonds. From the experimental results, the authors proposed the mechanism of the catalytic action of NaHCO₃: it appears to be due to the delocalization of an electron initiated by the interaction of the para-hydroxymethyl groups and the phenolic hydroxyl of HMPs with HCO ₃ ⁻ through hydrogen bonds, which results in facilitating the formation of active species.     

Heat Post-Treatment to Reduce Thickness Swelling of Particleboard from Fast-Growing Poplars

IntroductionInrecentyears,particleboardhasbeenusedmoreandmorewidely,Itisnotonlyusedforfurnituremanufac-turingandinteriordecoratingbutalsoaseXteriorbuild-ingmaterial.Becauseofthechangesofthesurroundingatmosphere,thevariationinmoisturecontentofparti-'cleboa…     

盐胁迫对红楠幼苗生长及Na+、K+吸收和分布的影响

In order to explore the salt tolerance mechanism of Machilus thunbergii, the effects of salt stress on seedling biomass, root morphology, sodium and potassium absorption and distribution were studied. The results showed that the above-ground biomass increased slightly under lower salt stress conditions, while the below-ground biomass, root length and root surface area showed a downtrend. The above-ground growth was limited under high concentration salt stress, while the under-ground growth was not subject to significant restrictions. The absorption of Na⁺ in root increased under salt stress, but that of K⁺ decreased. The ability of Na⁺ transporting from root to leaf and stem was weakened. The accumulation of Na⁺ in stem and leaves was less. With the decreased absorption of K⁺, the ratio of Na⁺/K⁺ also continuously increased. With the increased concentration of salt stress, the ability of K⁺ absorption in roots increased. The ability of K⁺ transporting from root to leaf and stem was enhanced, which resulted in significant increase of K⁺ in the leaves and stem. The accumulation of Na⁺ in the under-ground was significantly greater than that in above-ground, while the K⁺ content in above-ground increased significantly, which played a key role in maintaining normal growth and metabolism of M. thunbergii.     

Chemical characterization of the ashes of some African hardwoods

Summary Six African hardwoods (Nauclea diderrichii, Chlorophora excelsa; Lovoa trichilioides; Gosswailerodendron balsamiferum; Bombax buonopozense and Hevea brasiliensis) were ashed. The percentage ash content of the woods was determined, and the ash samples were analyzed for soluble base (as K₂CO₃); Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺.     

Effect of NaCl stress on ion distribution in roots and growth of Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings

We studied ion distribution in roots and the growth of Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings of three provenances, Huangshan in Anhui, Jiujiang in Jiangxi and Kunming in Yunnan, under conditions of 0, 1, 3 and 5 g/L NaCl stress using X-ray microanalysis. Results show that under NaCl stress of 3 and 5 g/L, the relative contents of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in root tissues increased, while the relative contents of K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreased. With an increase in salinity, the relative content of Na⁺ in the epidermis and cortex of the root increased, while the relative content of Cl⁻ in the stele and cortex of the root increased markedly. Thus, ions in the root tissues were unbalanced and the ratios K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ decreased, while Na⁺/(K⁺+ Na⁺+Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺) increased. The decrease of the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and the substantial increase of Cl⁻ in root tissues contributed to a decline in seedlings survival and reduced the increments for seedling leaf area, height, basal diameter as well biomass. Our preliminary conclusion is that the level of salt tolerance for the tested provenance seedlings was in the order of Huangshan > Kunming > Jiujiang, and the threshold of salt tolerance for C. paliurus seedlings was about 1 g/L. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinica, 2008, 44(6): 66–72 [틫自: 쇖튵뿆톧]     

Surface characterization of a series of cured polyurethane adhesives by inverse gas chromatography and adhesion strength testing of plywood

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was used to determine the surface properties of a series of polyurethane adhesives, A ₁, A ₂, A ₃ and A ₄ cured with water. The weight percentages of isocyanate group (NCO) in polyurethane adhesives were 5.3, 7.0, 13.0 and 19.6%, respectively. Four n-alkanes, C₆, C₇, C₈ and C₉ were chosen as non-polar probes to characterize the dispersive component of surface free energy, $ \gamma_{s}^{d} . $ Acetone, tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate were chosen as polar probes to detect the Lewis acid–base parameters, K _a and K _b. The trend of $ \gamma_{s}^{d} $ and K _a and K _b of the series of cured adhesives was also shown in this paper. The cured adhesives were all amphoteric, but predominantly Lewis basic. The adhesion strength of the poplar plywood bonded with polyurethane adhesives was tested. The results showed that the adhesion strength of plywood increased with increasing the NCO content of the adhesives and K _b/K _a of the cured adhesives.     

Interception of photosynthetic photon flux density in a mangrove stand of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kandelia candel</Emphasis> (L.) Druce

The canopy structure and interception of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in a 10-year-old Kandelia candel (L.) Druce stand were investigated before and after artificial defoliation. Leaf and wood areas for different layers were measured through area–weight relationships of subsamples. PPFD was measured at specified heights before and after leaf clipping. The leaf area index (LAI) and wood area index (WAI) were 4.501m²m^–2 and 1.412m²m^–2, respectively. There was a strong linear relationship between the cumulative wood area © and leaf area (F) densities from the top down to a given depth of the canopy, C = aF (r ² = 0.950), with a proportional constant a of 0.096 ± 0.008 (mean ± SE). The PPFD relative to that above the canopy (relative PPFD; I _R) at a given depth of the canopy was assumed to be given by the equation I _R = e^–(KCC+KFF ) = e^–KF , where the apparent light extinction coefficient K (= K _F + aK _C , where K _F and K _C are respectively the light extinction coefficient of leaves and woody organs) was calculated to be 0.502 ± 0.041 (mean ± SE) m^–2m² before leaf clipping. After leaf clipping, I _RC = e^–KCC is satisfied. As a result, the value of K _C was estimated to be 0.785 ± 0.046 (mean ± SE) m^–2m². The light extinction coefficient of leaves K _F was calculated to be 0.427m^–2m² using the indirect method, K _F = K – aK _C, and 0.432 ± 0.026 (mean ± SE) m^–2m² using the direct method, I _R/I _RC = e^–KFF . Of the total PPFD intercepted by the canopy, the fraction K _F/K due to leaves alone was estimated to be 85.0%–86.1% and the rest was contributed by woody organs.     

Inhibitory effect of tanshinones on rat CYP3A2 and CYP2C11 activity and its structure-activity relationship

This study investigated the effect of tanshinones on rat liver microsomal CYP3A2 and 2C11 activity and explored the structure-activity relationship of tanshinones with CYP3A activity. Cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA were competitive CYP3A2 inhibitors (K_i = 199-243 μM) and CYP2C11 inhibitors (K_i = 91-118 μM). Dihydrotanshinone was not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A2 (K_i = 110 μM), but also a competitive CYP2C11 inhibitor (K_i = 55 μM). The structural difference between dihydrotanshinone and tanshinone I at C-15 position of furan ring resulted in the different modes of inhibition on CYP3A activity.     

氮、磷、钾配比施肥对辣木生长及叶片养分吸收的影响

[目的]为明确辣木生长对养分的需求及叶片养分吸收状况。[方法]研究采取田间小区实验,设置N_(80)、N_(80)P_(20)、N_(80)K_(40)、P_(20)K_(40)、N_(80)P_(20)K_(40)、N_(60)P_(20)K_(60)和不施肥对照7个处理,测定分析不同氮、磷、钾配比施肥对辣木生长及叶片养分吸收的影响。[结果]不同氮、磷、钾配比施肥处理下,辣木生长速度先快后缓慢,处理90 d后株高、冠幅和鲜叶生物量的最高值及地径的次高值均出现在N_(80)中,N_(60)P_(20)K_(60)的株高、地径及N_(80)K_(40)的鲜叶生物量仅次于N_(80)处理;不同氮、磷、钾配比施肥均促进了辣木叶片中全氮、全磷含量的累积,但降低了全钾含量;除N_(80)外,其它处理叶片叶绿素含量均低于CK,高氮处理的叶绿素含量均高于P_(20)K_(40)和N_(60)P_(20)K_(60),N_(80)P_(20)高于N_(80)K_(40)。[结论]各元素对辣木生长影响大小为NKP,对叶片中叶绿素含量影响大小为NPK,叶片中营养元素含量大小为NKP。综合试验结果中辣木主要生长指标的生长及叶片养分吸收情况,配比施肥最优处理为N_(80),且该施肥处理主要适用于辣木幼龄及速生生长阶段。