Studies on pre-treatment by compression for wood drying III: the reduction of moisture content,the recovery rate,and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different moisture content conditions

As a follow-up report, the pre-treatment by compression for wood drying was systematically studied in terms of the reduction of moisture content (MC), the recovery rate (RR), and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different MC conditions. The results showed that MC after compression on water-saturated wood determined the critical value of MC before compression which were about 84 and 105% at a compression ratio of 60 and 40% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. Beyond the critical value, MC after compression remained constantly at about 84% and decreased slightly from 105% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. The MC reduction decreased with the decrease of MC before compression. The MC reduction was rather effective when the MC before compression was higher than the critical value and was recommended to pre-treat for the effectiveness of MC reduction. In addition, after the recovery, the wood volume and mechanical properties were well retained for the wood compressed at all MC conditions which were above fiber saturation point (FSP) before and after compression. Therefore, the pre-treatment by compression is viable in terms of the RR and mechanical properties at rather broad MC conditions above FSP. Moreover, the compression force needed for treatment was almost same at these MC conditions.     

Effect of thermo-hydro-mechanical densification on microstructure and properties of poplar wood (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis>)

This study aimed at developing a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processing to compress poplar wood and investigating the effects of high temperature, moisture, and pressure during the THM processing on the changes in microstructure, porosity, mechanical properties, and dimensional stability of compressed poplar wood. The variations in these properties were correlated and their mathematical relations were determined. Poplar woods with high moisture content were compressed using different pressures at a temperature of 160 °C for different periods. The compression level was characterized by the volume compression ratio (CR), which is defined as the ratio of the compression volume and the original volume of sample before and after THM processing. The obtained results indicated that the high pressure of THM process caused the collapsing of wood cell lumens and the developing of a certain amount of fractures in the cell wall. The damage level of wood cells increased with increasing pressure and time. Moreover, the pressure narrowed the cell lumens, which decreased significantly the pore volume in wood substrate. The pore size distribution shifted from the level of macropores to those of mesopores and micropores after THM process. The THM process created superior mechanical property, especially for those with higher CR. Besides, it was revealed that the process decreased dramatically the set recovery of treated woods and improved their dimensional stability. A significant improvement was achieved in terms of the mechanical and physical properties of compressed poplar wood via the structural reformation during the THM process.     

Factors affecting the resinification of liquefied phenolated wood

Wood of Chinese fir and poplar were liquefied in phenol at 150℃ and atmospheric pressure. The liquefied wood were reacted with formaldehyde to synthesize the liquefied wood-based resin. The factors affecting the resinification and the properties of new resin were investigated. The results show that the formaldehyde/liquefied wood molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time and sodium hydroxide/liquefied wood molar ratio have important influence on the resin characteristics. With the increase of formaldehyde/liquefied wood molar ratio, the yield of resin increases, and the flee phenol content of resins decreases, showing that the resinification of liquefied wood is more complete at higher formaldehyde/liquefied wood molar ratios. The reaction temperature on the viscosity of the liquefied resin has considerable effect; the viscosity of resin increased with increasing reaction temperature, and the amount of liquefied poplar resin increased more quickly than that of liquefied Chinese fir resin. The resinification time also has obvious influence on the viscosity of resin; the viscosity of liquefied poplar resin is more sensitive to resinification time compared with that of liquefied Chinese fir. The amount of sodium hydroxide can improve the water miscibility of liquefied wood resin. The optimum sodium hydroxide/liquefied wood molar ratio for preparation of liquefied wood-based resins exceeds 0.4.     

Effects of preheating temperatures on the formation of sandwich compression and density distribution in the compressed wood

Sandwich compression of wood that can control the density and position of compressed layer(s) in the compressed wood provides a promising pathway for full valorization of low-density plantation wood. This study aims at investigating the effects of preheating temperatures (60–210 °C) on sandwich compression of wood, with respect to density distribution, position and thickness of the compressed layer(s). Poplar (Populus tomentosa) lumbers with moisture content below 10.0% were first soaked in water for 2 h and stored in a sealed plastic bag for 18 h, the surface-wetted lumbers were preheated on hot plates at 60–210 °C and further compressed from 25 to 20 cm under 6.0 MPa at the same temperature on the radial direction. The compressed lumbers were characterized in terms of density distribution, position and thickness of compressed layer(s). It was found that depending on preheating temperatures, sandwich compressed wood with three structural modes, namely, surface compressed wood, internal compressed wood and central compressed wood can be formed. Density of the compressed layer(s) in wood increased gradually as a result of the elevated preheating temperatures. Higher preheating temperatures gave rise to bigger distance between compressed layer(s) and the surface, and preheating temperature elevation from 90 to 120 °C contributed to a maximal distance increase of 2.71 mm. In addition, higher preheating temperatures resulted in bigger thickness of compressed layer(s) over 60–150 °C and temperature elevation from 120 to 150 °C lead to the layers integration from two into one. Further temperature elevation over 150 °C reduced the thickness of the compressed layer in wood. SEM scanning suggested that cell wall bucking rather than cell wall crack occurred in compressed layer(s) and transition layer(s).     

Longitudinal shrinkage behaviour of compression wood in radiata pine

The behaviour of longitudinal shrinkage was investigated in the corewood of a swept, 17-year-old New Zealand radiata pine stem. Wood categories in terms of normal wood, mild compression wood and severe compression wood were identified microscopically using autofluorescence of lignin. Average longitudinal shrinkage was collated according to corewood location and wood category within corewood in the leaning and the vertical parts of the stem, and then maximum radial difference of longitudinal shrinkage within growth ring was examined. The results show that the average longitudinal shrinkage is significant (2.4%) in the corewood of the leaning part of the stem. Among wood categories, severer compression wood displays the highest (2.9%) average longitudinal shrinkage. In the context of this study, growth rings may consist of one of three types of wood: (1) only normal wood; (2) a single compression wood type; and (3) mixed-type wood. Where multiple compression woods co-existed with normal wood, the maximum radial difference of longitudinal shrinkage within the growth ring was found to be 4.0%. A strong correlation (R ² = 0.90) between average MFA and average longitudinal shrinkage suggests a significant influence of the average MFA on average longitudinal shrinkage across the three growth ring types.     

Reducing set-recovery of compressively densified poplar wood by impregnation–modification with melamine–formaldehyde resin

ABSTRACT

Densification of resin impregnated wood under hot-pressing is a method that along with the potential for the reduction of set-recovery could additionally increase the density of wood and further improve other technical properties. In this study, the effect of the methylated melamine-formaldehyde modification on the shape memory effect of densified Populous nigra wood at various compression ratio levels was investigated. Furthermore, the effects on moisture content and compression ratio were also assessed. The most important conclusion drawn was that MF can act as a means for reducing set-recovery of compressed poplar wood since it is obvious that the use of MF significantly improved the stability of densified wood due to the formation of new bonds between cell wall components and MF. In the case of densification under stress of 10?kg/cm², the stabilization was improved by the use of MF to about 50% compared to water-treated specimens. The effect of MF on the stabilization of densified wood was not very clear for stresses higher than 10?kg/cm² since due to the outflow of MF solution during the first minutes of compression.     

Effects of densification on untreated and nano-aluminum-oxide impregnated poplar wood

Effects of densification of poplar wood (Populus nigra) impregnated with nano-aluminum oxide (NA) and pre-treated with water vapor for 4 and 6 h were investigated in the present study. Physical and mechanical properties of treated poplar wood were measured according to the ASTM D-143 standard specifications, and then compared with the untreated specimens. Results showed significant improvement in all properties as a result of densification. A 4-h vapor pre-treatment improved effects on both physical and mechanical properties. When the duration of vapor-treatment increased to 6 h, wood polymers degraded to the extent that the improvements due to the vapor pre-treatment decreased substantially, though the final results were still significant improvements compared with the control specimens. High thermal conductivity coefficient of NA slightly but not significantly improved properties. Due to the high spring-back after 15 days, densified poplar is not recommended for applications in which densified wood will be exposed for long periods to high humidity or to direct water.     

Effects of phosphoric acid on liquefaction of wood in phenol and optimum liquefaction processing parameters

To clarify the influencing factors of liquefaction of wood in phenol using phosphoric acid as a catalyst and get its liquefaction technology, a study on the liquefaction technology of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and poplar (triploid Populus tomentosa Carr) under different conditions was conducted. The results indicate that the residue rate decreases with the increase of liquefaction temperature, liquefaction time, catalyst content or liquid ratio. It is also found that the optimum condition of liquefaction for poplar is estimated as: the reaction temperature of 180 ℃, the reaction time of 2.5 h, liquid ratio (phenol/wood ratio)of 4.5 and catalyst content of 8%, and 4.2% residue rate could be obtained. Under the processing parameters of temperature 180 ℃, the reaction time of 2.5 h, liquid ratio (phenol/wood ratio) of 4 and catalyst content of 10%, the residue rate of Chinese fir can reach 5.6%.     

Optimum preparation technology for Chinese fir wood/Ca-montmorillonite （Ca-MMT） composite board

For this study, an intercalation compounding method was used to prepare Chinese fir wood/Ca-montmorillonite （Ca-MMT） composite board to improve its properties such as surface mechanical properties, flame retardance and dimensional stability. By virtue of water-soluble phenolic resin （PF）, Chinese fir wood and Ca-MMT were mixed by pressure and vacuum impregnation. The optimum impregnation technology of Chinese fir wood/Ca-MMT composite board was obtained by using an orthogonal design and a single factor design of pressure and vacuum impregnation, using weight percent gain （WPG） as the basic index. The results are as follows： 1） On the basis of the orthogonal design and an actual experiment, the optimum preparation technology of Chinese fir wood/Ca-MMT composite board is 20% PF resin dispersion concentration （wt%）, 1.0 CEC amount of organic intercalation agent, 0.098 MPa vacuum degree, 5% concentration of Ca-MMT and 1.0 MPa pressure. 2） The WPG of the composite board samples of 450 mm length was much larger than that of the samples of 600, 750 and 900 mm length. Warm water extraction contributed little to WPG     

Liquefaction and product identification of main chemical compositions of wood in phenol

To clarify liquefaction ratios and their construction variations of the main chemical compositions of wood in phenol using phosphoric acid as a catalyst, the chemical ingredients of wood such as holocellulose, cellulose and lignin, were measured and extracted according to GB methods. With Fourier transform infrared （FTIR）, the product identification of reactant before and after liquefaction in phenol was investigated. The molecular weights and their distributions of the liquefaction results （acetone soluble parts） were studied by gel permeation chromatography （GPC）. Results show that the molecular weights and their distributions of poplar and Chinese fir are almost the same. In poplar, the distribution of cellulose is the largest, and that ofholocellulose the smallest after liquefaction. For Chinese fir, the distribution of holocellulose is the largest, and that of cellulose the smallest. After liquefaction of poplar cellulose, the change bands of FTIR spectrum observed below 1 600 cm^-1, can be attributed to new substitute groups. The same is true for poplar lignin. For Chinese fir, the spectra of liquefaction results of all chemical compositions differ from that of wood meal. This reveals the more activity groups were produced because of the reactions between Chinese fir and phenol. The research shows that the liquefaction ratios of poplar decrease in the following order： holocellulose 〉 lignin 〉 cellulose, and those of Chinese fir in the order： lignin 〉 cellulose 〉 holocellulose.     

Effect of compression on the liquid absorption of Chinese fir wood with different heartwood-to-sapwood ratios

In this study, the Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.) specimens with different ratios of heartwood thickness to sapwood thickness (HS) were radially compressed at different compression speeds, and then absorbed amine copper quat-type D (ACQ-D) preservative solution under the negative-pressure produced by the recovery of compression deformation. The liquid uptake (Al), the recovery rate of compression deformation (Rs) and the chemical absorption (Ac) of samples were determined, as well as the overall distribution of density and effective component of ACQ-D (i.e., copper in wood), the mechanical properties such as surface hardness were also measured. The Al, Rs, Ac values of compressed samples including the whole heartwood ones were higher than those of uncompressed samples, showing that radial compression had an obvious positive effect on improving the liquid absorption of heart-wood. Higher compression speed of 3 mm·min–1 is preferable since the samples with that speed could reach the highest Al and Ac; in addition, more deformation fixation has been produced possibly because of the faster heat and moisture transmission at the higher compressed speed, and more bonds of hydrophobic nature were formed, leading to the higher surface hardness and density. A consistent tendency of the density distribution and the copper retentions along the thickness direction could be explained that the layers with higher density have smaller volumes of void areas, and more chemicals were absorbed and fixed, resulting in the higher copper retentions.     

Manufacture of compressed wood fixed by phenolic resin impregnation through drilled holes

An aqueous solution of phenolic resin was impregnated through drilled holes in wood, and we manufactured compressed wood with the deformation fixed by the phenolic resin. The methods of impregnation used in this study were an in-liquid platen-pressing method and a vacuum treatment. The effect of the drilled holes on solution retention was examined. Moreover, the control of solution retention was examined under the application of compression drying. The impregnation of resin into the specimens without drilled holes was insufficient, and the deformation could not be fixed. On the other hand, sufficient impregnation was possible in the specimen with drilled holes, and the deformation fixation was observed. At the stage of compression when the solution was squeezed out of the specimen, the solution retention of each specimen was accurately controlled in the specimens with drilled holes. At the stage of compressive deformation and deformation fixation using a hot press, the specimens without drilled holes could not be processed normally because swelling occurred. However, swelling did not occur in the specimens with drilled holes. Part of this report was presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Chubu Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society in Matsumoto, November 2006     

毛白杨速生材压缩密实化工艺初步研究

以河北平原地区普遍种植的速生毛白杨木材为对象,通过压缩密化处理,测定素材和处理材的物理力学等性能,分析各因素对回复率的影响,寻找压缩密化的较优工艺条件。结果表明：饱水试件进行微波软化处理后,热压温度180℃左右、热压时间2．5h、压缩量为50％时所得试件性能较好。     

Effect of compression on hydroscopicity of extracted Chinese fir heartwood

In order to clarify the effects of extraction and compression on the hydroscopicity of wood, Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.） heartwood samples with or without extraction were radially or tangentially compressed under water-saturated condition at room temperature. Warm water and 1% sodium hydroxide were used as different solutions for extraction. Water absorption capacity and moisture adsorption isotherms of the compressed samples were then tested. The fractal dimension of internal wood surfaces （Dfs） was calculated based on adsorption isotherms by FHH equation. Results showed that in both compressed groups, the hydroscopicity of samples extracted by sodium hydroxide solution improved greatly, while that of samples extracted by warm water changed little, compared with that of water-saturated samples. Recovery of set and the change of hydroscopic environment inside wood were main reasons for the difference of water absorption among water-saturated samples and samples extracted with warm water and sodium hydroxide solution. The swelling rate of samples extracted by sodium hydroxide solution significantly increased. Moreover, the swelling rate in the tangential direction of tangentially compressed samples was obviously higher than that in radial direction of radially compressed ones. Dfs values of woods extracted by warm water and sodium hydroxide solution decreased by 0.002 and 0.007 in a radially compressed group and by 0.013 and 0.013 in a tangentially compressed group, compared to those of water-saturated one. Therefore, the conclusion can be made that the extraction and compression treatments used in this study have no obvious effects on internal wood surface.     

Comparative study between full cell and passive impregnation method of wood preservation for laser incised Douglas fir lumber

In this study, the ability of passive impregnation of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) lumber was compared with a conventional full cell method. With an incising density of 10,000 holes/m² carried out by CO₂ laser, square Douglas fir lumber was treated by both passive impregnation and full cell method for 6 h and 50 min. Different incising densities were also used in passive impregnation to examine the optimum incising density. It was observed that there was no significant difference between these two methods regarding absorption of liquid, moisture content after dipping and penetrated area both at cross and longitudinal sections. However, the value was higher in case of full cell method. Regarding different incising densities, absorption and penetration of liquid was similar for 10,000 and 7,500 holes/m² but it was low for 5,000 holes/m². Therefore, it can be concluded that an incising density of 7,500 holes/m² is the optimum for passive impregnation. The absorption of liquid and its distribution in wood indicates that this non-pressure passive impregnation method can be a good preservation method for impermeable lumber and can be an alternative to full cell method.     

Compressive deformation of wood impregnated with low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin V: effects of steam pretreatment

This study evaluated the potential of steam pre-treatment for making highly compressed phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin-impregnated wood at a low pressing pressure. Sawn veneers of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) were first subjected to saturated steam at different steaming temperatures (140°-200°C), followed by impregnation with a 20% low molecular weight PF resin aqueous solution resulting in a weight gain of around 50%-55%. Four oven-dried treated veneers were laminated and compressed up to a pressing pressure of 1 MPa at a pressing temperature of 150°C and pressing speed of 5 mm/min, and the pressure was held for 30 min. Steam treatment, causing partial hydrolysis of hemicellulose, accelerated the compressibility of Japanese cedar in the PF resin-swollen condition. As a consequence, a discernible increment in density was achieved at a pressing pressure of 1 MPa due to steam pretreatment between 140° and 200°C for 10 min. It was also found that even a short steaming time such as 2 min at 160°C is sufficient for obtaining appreciable compression of PF resin-impregnated wood. The density, Young’s modulus, and bending strength of steam-treated (200°C for 10 min) PF resin-impregnated wood composite reached 1.09 g/cm³, 20 GPa, and 207MPa, respectively. In contrast, the values of untreated PF resin-impregnated wood composite were 0.87 g/cm³, 13 GPa, and 170MPa, respectively.     

Relationship between wood porosity,wood density and methyl methacrylate impregnation rate

Abstract

Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was used to evaluate the impregnation mechanisms of wood by methyl methacrylate (MMA) through examining the changes in porosity, pore volume, pore size distribution and bulk density of solid wood before and after MMA impregnation. Porosities of MMA-impregnated (hardened) wood samples were lower than those of solid wood samples for six studied species, five hardwoods and one softwood. Densities of hardened wood were enhanced from 45 to 130% depending on the species. The pore volume available for mercury intrusion was shifted from pore d>0.1 µm for solid wood to pore d≤0.1 µm for hardened wood. A pore diameter of 0.1 µm was used as the transition point for MMA impregnation and the increased mercury penetration below this point was attributed to the MMA polymer pore structure. Porosity as an intrinsic property of wood appears to be the main determinant of impregnation rate and polymer retention, especially for porosity with pore diameter >0.1 µm. The results indicate that the MIP technique is an effective tool with which to study the impregnation process.     

PF树脂浸渍速生杉木的性能研究

速生杉木通过浸渍PF树脂并压缩改性后,力学性能得到大幅度提高,且随着树脂浓度和压缩率的增加而提高。增重率与真空度、浸渍压力、时间有关,并随着其增加而增大;抗胀(缩)率和阻湿率与树脂的浓度有关,当树脂浓度从0上升到10%时,ASE和MEE的值变化较大,当树脂浓度超过10%后趋于平缓;在树脂浓度相同的情况下,较大压缩的恢复率也相应较大,当树脂浓度低于10%时,随着浓度增加,恢复率急剧下降,浓度达到15%以上时,恢复率几乎没有变化。     

Influence of temperature and steam environment on set recovery of compressive deformation of wood

Low-density hybrid poplar wood (Populus deltoides?×?Populus trichocarpa) was densified by mechanical compression under saturated steam, superheated steam, and transient conditions at temperature levels of 150, 160, and 170°C. Furthermore, compression of wood under saturated steam conditions at 170°C, followed by post-heat-treatment at 200°C for 1, 2, and 3?min, was performed. To determine the influence of compression treatment on the set recovery, specimens were subjected to five cycles of water soaking and drying. Modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of specimens compressed under saturated steam conditions at 170°C and post-heat-treated at 200°C were determined in the dry condition and after five soak/dry cycles. Higher temperature of the compression treatment resulted in lower equilibrium moisture content, while the steam conditions during the treatment and the post-heat-treatment did not have significant effect. Furthermore, the highest degree of densification was obtained in specimens compressed under saturated steam conditions at 170°C and post-heat-treated at 200°C. The steam condition and temperature influenced the set recovery of compressive deformation. Reduced hygroscopicity does not necessarily imply reduced set recovery. The results established that considerable fixation of compressive deformation can be obtained by compressing the wood in a saturated steam environment and by post-heat-treatment at 200°C. The short heat-treatment had no influence on MOR or MOE, but soaking/drying treatments caused a decrease in the MOR and MOE.     

压前含水率对杉木间伐材压缩木性能的影响

通过对杉木间伐材压缩密化的水分和物理力学性能进行分析,并观察木材微观结构的变化,可得出以下结果：1)压缩木各方向的水分分布不均匀,容易翘曲变形；2)水分对压缩木的物理力学性能有影响,压前含水率50％左右,压缩木硬度、抗弯弹性模量和抗弯强度最大,但冲击韧性随着压前含水率的增加呈下降趋势。从微观结构的观察可知,杉木间伐材压缩木的细胞只是被挤压,细胞腔变小而细胞壁未受到破坏。为了降低压后含水率,使水分分布均匀,可以采取两种办法：一是使初始含水率尽可能低,二是热压时间尽可能长。