Preparation of synthetic wood composites using ionic liquids

Synthetic wood composite films containing cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, the three major components of natural wood, were prepared in a room temperature ionic liquid solvent, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM][Ac]. Various synthetic wood composites were obtained by dissolution of individual wood components together with additives, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in [EMIM][Ac]. The addition of water affords a gel that was dried in either a low humidity environment or under vacuum. Synthetic wood films showed smoother surface textures, higher water resistance, and higher tensile strengths than cellulose films formed by the same methods. Tailor-made synthetic wood composites were also prepared having a variety of desirable properties, including antimicrobial activities, controlled hydro-phobicity/philicity, high relative dielectric constant, and a high degree of cohesiveness.     

New cell wall and cell lumen wood polymer composites

Summary Furfuryl alcohol-based (FA) cell wall and methyl methacrylate-based (MMA) combination formulations were used to make wood polymer composites (WPC). Swelling gradients developed during preparation. Properties (density, hardness, water extractables, antiswell efficiency) gradients were observed along samples in 5 of the 7 treating formulations. Two cell wall treatments based on furfuryl alcohol did not show the gradients. The results suggest treating solution separations occurred during impregnation and the resulting nonhomogenious chemical produced the properties gradients. WPC made using the combination formulations based on MMA had properties which fell between cell wall and cell lumen formulations.It is gratefully acknowledged that Mr. Michel Andrew, Student Assistant, carried out the experiment part of this study     

Thermo-directional movement of wood and wood composites

Summary Thermal movement of wood and wood composites was studied and compared with that of random and oriented phenolic foams. Cell orientation was a dominate factor determining the thermal response of these structures. In dried wood, thermal movement in the direction parallel to the cells (longitudinal) decreased in dimension during heating while the radial and tangential directions expanded under similar heating condition. Oriented foams showed more restraint in thermal movement in the parallel to orientation direction. These findings indicate constraining forces act on the direction parallel to the cells while more flexibility exists in perpendicular directions. Wood element size and orientation and the manufacturing process also influence the thermal response in wood composites. The experimental results also revealed the potential fire hazard of waferboard type of composites.     

Static bending and toughness of wood polymer composites (yellow birch and basswood)

Wood polymer composites (WPC) were made from basswood and yellow birch using six cell lumen type polymer formulations. The study was designed to get insight into the influence of wood density and polymer formulation on certain WPC mechanical properties. Small specimens were tested for toughness, stiffness, hardness and bending strength using standard ASTM methods. Results showed that stronger and stiffer polymers produce tougher and stronger WPC, but the effect is small. Thus, there is a wide range of polymer properties which produce useful WPC properties. Study of the fracture surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that WPC made with different polymers fractured differently and polymer containing a coupling agent bonded to the cell wall. However the cell wall bonding had no noticeable influence on WPC mechanical properties.     

Effect of adding steam-exploded wood flour to thermoplastic polymer/wood composite

The effect of steam-exploded wood flour (SE) added to wood flour/plastic composite was examined using SE from beech, Japanese cedar, and red meranti and three kinds of thermoplastic polymer: polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Addition of SE increased the fracture strength and water resistance of the composite board to an extent dependent on the polymer species and the composition of wood/SE/polymer. However, water resistance decreased with the increasing proportion of SE when SE meranti was added. Effects of the wood species of SE on the properties of resulting board were small. An increased moisture content of wood flour or SE (or both) increased the variation of board performance.     

速生杨木木塑复合材料处理工艺实验研究

以速生杨木为试材，并通过向试材中注入不饱和烯烃类单体；用正交试验的方法，分析了真空度、真空时间、浸注压力和加压时间4因素对木材留存率的影响来初步判断实现速生杨木的木塑复合材的有效工艺。     

木纤维PP/PE共混物复合材料的流变和力学性能(英文)

For evaluation of the rheological and mechanical properties of highly filled wood plastic composites （WPCs）, polypropylene/polyethylene （PP/PE） blends were grafted with maleic anhydride （MAH） to enhance the interfacial adhesion between wood fiber and matrix. WPCs were prepared from wood fiber up to 60 wt.% and modified PP/PE was blended by extrusion. The rheological properties were studied by using dynamic measurement. According to the strain sweep test, the linear viscoelastic region of composites in the melt was determined. The result showed that the storage modulus was independent of the strain at low strain region （〈0.1%）. The frequency sweep resuits indicated that all composites exhibited shear thinning behavior, and both the storage modulus and complex viscosity of MAH modified composites were decreased comparing to those unmodified. Flexural properties and impact strength of the prepared WPCs were measured according to the relevant standard specifications. The flexural and impact strength of the manufactured composites significantly increased and reached a maximum when MAH dosage was 1.0 wt%, whereas the flexural modulus after an initial decreased, also increased with MAH dosage. The increase in mechanical properties indicated that the presence of anhydride groups enhanced the interracial adhesion between wood fiber and PP/PE blends.     

Dynamic-mechanical analysis and SEM morphology of wood flour/polypropylene composites

Introduction It is well known that over the past few decades, polymers have replaced many conventional materials, such as metal and wood in many applications. This is due to the advantages of polymers over conventional materials (Maurizio et al. 1998; Adr…     

Improvement in compatibility and mechanical properties of modified wood fiber/polypropylene composites

To improve the interfacial compatibility between wood fibers and polypropylene and the toughness of wood-fiber/polypropylene composites, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymers (SEBS-g-MAH) were used as modifiers. Mechanical properties of wood-fiber/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites were improved when PP-g-MAH or SEBS-g-MAH was added. When either of these copolymers was added, the composites had better interfacial compatibility than the unmodified composite. This was verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved because of the good interfacial bonding between wood fibers and polypropylene when PP-g-MAH and SEBS-g-MAH were added. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(2): 133–137 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Damping and layer configuration in wood veneer composites

The aim of the present study was to find and describe the relationship between damping properties and both the number of layers and the fiber orientation in wood-veneer-composite specimens. The testing apparatus was a simple torsional pendulum in which the frequencies of the resulting free vibrations were maintained between 13 and 23 Hz. Cross-sectional (30 × 30 mm) specimens with a total length of 250 mm were used. The specimens were cut from manufactured wood-veneer-composite panels (both 0°/90° and 0°/0° oriented) with up to 13 layers. Existing problems such as nonlinearities, which are often responsible for weighting results, were taken into account by using several mathematical approaches. The results led to a consistent picture of the damping properties across the measured range. We found that the damping ratio increased for the 0°/90° orientation with increasing numbers of layers in a cross-sectional specimen of constant outer dimensions. This effect could not be reproduced for specimens oriented 0°/0°.     

Research advance in wood composites in China

Inthe21stcentury,thewoodsupplyinChinawillcontinLJetobelessthanthedemand,soChinawillneedtousewoodasetfectivelyasPossible.Theuseotwoodcompositesisaveryefficientwaytosavewood.ChinalackssLJfficientforeststomeetitsdemandforwood,especiallyinfinequalitywoods.BecauseofChina'spopulationandfiberdemand,efficientuseofwoocJismoreimportanttoChinathanthattosomeothercoLJntries.However,Chinawasneitherconvincedofthisandnordiditpayattentiontothestudyofwoodcompositesbeforethe1970's.FacingthewoodcrisisChinaf…     

Development of wood and wood ash-based hydroxyapatite composites and their fire-retarding properties

For making efficient use of waste wood ash emitted from wood biomass plant, the wood and wood ash-based hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite was produced and their flammability characterization was studied by thermogravimetric (DTA-TG) analysis, oxygen index (OI) measurement and cone calorimeter test. The results show that the exothermic and weight loss peaks in DTA-TG combustion profiles due to their significant thermal decomposition were weakened by the HAp agent impregnation. In addition, the OI value of HAp composites was increased by the HAp combining and the OI showed a correlation with the HAp contents. Also, the cone calorimeter study revealed that the heat release rates were decreased with increasing amount of HAp injection and accordingly their total heat release has an inverse relationship to the HAp contents. These results indicate that the treatment with wood ash-based HAp agents can enhance the flame retardancy of the treated woods.     

Mode III fracture energy of wood composites in comparison to solid wood

A simple experimental setup for mode III and mixed mode (I?+?III) fracture tests with anisotropic materials under steady state crack propagation has been developed. Load-displacement curves can be recorded up to the complete separation of the specimen. From the load-displacement curves several mechanical material parameters can be derived. The tests have been performed for solid wood and different wood composites, being PARALLAM^® PSL in different orientations, particleboard and INTRALLAM^® LSL, and the fracture behaviour is characterised by the specific fracture energy.     

Water vapour diffusion and adsorption characteristics of sugar maple (Acer saccharum,Marsh.) wood polymer composites

Summary Water vapour diffusion characteristics and adsorption isotherms were determined for cell-lumen and cell-wall treated wood polymer composites (WPC). The diffusion coefficients of the cell-lumen WPC were lower than untreated wood and the cell-wall WPC coefficients were lower than cell-lumen. Using the Hailwood and Horrobin sorption model, it was found that the unimolecular layer is formed at lower moisture contents in WPC than in wood. The amount of free dissolved water was reduced only in the cell-wall WPC. The polymer reduces the water vapour accessibility in both types of WPC.     

Effect of nano-SiO2 on properties of wood/polymer/clay nanocomposites

Wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNC) based on nano-SiO₂ were prepared by impregnation of styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), SiO₂ nanoparticles modified with γ-trimethoxy silyl propyl methacrylate (MSMA), and nanoclay into wood. The structure of modified SiO₂ nanoparticles and WPNC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis showed the delaminated structure of SAN/SiO₂/clay-treated wood composites. The synergistic effect of nano-SiO₂ and nanoclay was investigated. Thermal stability of SiO₂ nanoparticles decreased after modification, while that of wood treated with SAN, SiO₂, and nanoclay improved. Morphological characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, water uptake (%), dimensional stability, hardness, and flammability were found to improve due to incorporation of SiO₂ and nanoclay into wood polymer composites. Maximum improvement in properties was observed in the wood polymer composites containing SiO₂ and nanoclay at the ratio of 1:1.     

Finger-jointing green softwood: Evaluation of the interaction between polyurethane adhesive and wood

Existing European standards for finger-jointing of load-bearing lumber require the wood to be dried before gluing. This article presents a study on the properties of green-glued finger joints, wet wood being bonded prior to drying. Issues to consider, in comparison to finger-jointing of dry wood, are mechanical performance of the joint, absorption of the polymer by the wood in its natural/wet state, and the chemical reactions of the adhesive on contact with water. Finger-jointed samples were tested in bending, and the glue joints analysed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microdensitometry. A patented one-component polyurethane adhesive developed for gluing-green wood which has a moisture content usually higher than 70% was used in the study. The resulting green-glued joints showed improved strength properties in comparison to dry-jointed joints. The results confirm that green-glued joints provide a wide, continuous wood/adhesive interface from one substrate to the other. The adhesive penetrates several cells deep and the density of the wood adjacent to the joint surfaces is increased. The results also indicate that the patented adhesive forms covalent bonds to the wood substrate.     

Finger-jointing green softwood: Evaluation of the interaction between polyurethane adhesive and wood

Abstract

Existing European standards for finger-jointing of load-bearing lumber require the wood to be dried before gluing. This article presents a study on the properties of green-glued finger joints, wet wood being bonded prior to drying. Issues to consider, in comparison to finger-jointing of dry wood, are mechanical performance of the joint, absorption of the polymer by the wood in its natural/wet state, and the chemical reactions of the adhesive on contact with water. Finger-jointed samples were tested in bending, and the glue joints analysed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microdensitometry. A patented one-component polyurethane adhesive developed for gluing-green wood which has a moisture content usually higher than 70% was used in the study. The resulting green-glued joints showed improved strength properties in comparison to dry-jointed joints. The results confirm that green-glued joints provide a wide, continuous wood/adhesive interface from one substrate to the other. The adhesive penetrates several cells deep and the density of the wood adjacent to the joint surfaces is increased. The results also indicate that the patented adhesive forms covalent bonds to the wood substrate.     

Properties of PEG/thermally modified wood flour/polypropylene (PP) composites

In order to improve the dimensional stability of wood-polymer composites, wood flour pre-treated by polyethylene glyco1 (PEG) at two different concentrations and then thermally treated at 140°C, was used as raw material to produce wood flour/polypropylene (PP) composites at a wood content of 40%. The structure of modified wood flour was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and its effect on the physical and mechanical properties of wood flour/PP composites was evaluated. The SEM results indicated the "bulking" effect of PEG on wood flour, which resulted in reduced water uptake. The combination of PEG and heat treatment further improved the moisture resistance of the composites. However, PEG modification had a negative effect on the flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE); whereas heat treatment partly compensated for this reduction. For dynamic mechanical properties, PEG treatment decreased the storage modulus (E′). However, the heat treatment resulted in an increase of E′ of the wood flour/PP composites, with the temperature of loss factor peaks shifting to a higher temperature.     

Effect of chemical modification on the properties of wood/polypropylene composites

对以铝酸酯为偶联剂对木粉进行表面改性处理后制备的木粉/聚丙烯复合材料的力学性能和形态学特征进行了研究。结果表明:铝酸酯偶联剂可以增加木塑复合材料的抗冲击强度,但会对复合材料的抗拉强度和抗弯强度造成负面的影响。对木塑复合材料的动态力学性能和微分扫描热量分析研究表明,以铝酸酯作为偶联剂,对木塑复合材料的储存模量和损失模量有少许增加,同时可降低材料的熔点和熔解热。利用扫描电镜观察木塑复合材料的木材与塑料界面发现,经铝酸酯处理过的木材与聚丙烯复合界面之间具有更好的相容性。这些研究结果表明,在木塑复合材料制造过程中利用廉价的铝酸酯作为木材化学改性剂,对改善复合材料的性质同样起作良好的作用。图6 表2 参16。