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.     

Shear fracture characterization of green-glued polyurethane wood adhesive bonds at various moisture and gluing conditions

Abstract

The shear fracture properties of green-glued one-component polyurethane (PUR) wood adhesive bonds subjected to kiln drying were investigated. The local shear strength and fracture energy of the wood adhesive bonds were determined from experimentally recorded complete shear stress versus deformation curves of the bond line. A stable test set-up and small specimens that were anti-symmetrically loaded were used in order to get a uniform and pure state of shear stress. Different moisture contents (MCs) and pressing times were investigated. The fracture properties of conventionally dry-glued wood adhesive bonds and of solid wood were used as reference. The results show that the fracture energy of green-glued bonds with PUR adhesive is dependent on the MC of wood and on the pressing time. The same fracture energy and strength can be obtained by green gluing as by dry gluing, but there seems to exist a maximum MC of sapwood, in the range between 78% and 160%, and a minimum pressing time, in the range between 3 h and 48 h, for which it can be achieved. Both dry- and green-glued polyurethane adhesive bonds were more ductile than solid wood.     

Green gluing of oak wood (Quercus conferta L.) with a one-component polyurethane adhesive

Abstract

This research work presents a study on the properties of finger jointing green oak wood (Quercus conferta L.) using a one-component polyurethane adhesive. The effect of finger-joint orientation (vertical or horizontal fingers) was also examined. In general, the results from the measurements of modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of green-glued finger-jointed specimens indicated that the green gluing of a high-density species such as oak wood is feasible.     

IMPRESSIONS OF FORESTRY IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

The bonding of wood by means of glue has been practised for many centuries.

Adhesion between an adhesive and wood is the result of unbalanced secondary valency forces (Van der Waal's forces) present on the interfaces. It is fundamental to good adhesion that the adhesive must (a) wet the surface it is required to adhere to and (b) penetrate the wood capillaries. The phenomenon of “wetting” is indicated by the contact angle the adhesive forms on the wood surface as well as its ability to penetrate the wood capillaries. Maximum penetration of the capillaries is inhibited in practice due to air becoming trapped in “inkpot” type capillaries caused by the sawblade tearing the wood fibres over in the direction of the cut. Several ways to increase capillary penetration are suggested.

The anisotropic chemical reactivity of wood is theorized in so far that a unit area of wood substance (excluding lumen openings) cut on the cross-sectional plane cannot be as effectively glued as a unit area of wood substance on the radial and tangential plane. This is due to the positioning of the chemically reactive groups on the cellulose chains which are predominantly oriented parallel to the fibre axis.

The engineered design of joints is briefly discussed and mathematical expression given as to how incorrect joint design can be detrimental to the ultimate joint strength.

The general character of the better-known synthetic adhesives is briefly discussed. Little detail is given as excellent hand books exist on this specific subject.     

Improving the thermal stability of one-component polyurethane adhesives by adding filler material

The aim of the current study is to improve the thermal stability of one-component moisture-curing polyurethane adhesives. The approach here tends to add suitable filler materials to the adhesive and to study the resulting effects. The investigation covers mechanical tests to determine the shear strength of the glued wood joints according to EN 302-1 (2004). Furthermore, the distribution of the filler material within the adhesive is shown by means of environmental scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The thermal stability of the glued wood joints could be significantly improved by adding chalk with a volume fraction of 30% to the adhesive.     

Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood

Abstract

One of the main disadvantages of wood is hygroscopicity resulting from its polar character. The sorption–desorption of water causes unwanted swelling and shrinkage in wood. Thermal modification substantially reduces this inconvenient feature. Unfortunately, the same chemical changes that reduce water sorption alter the polar character of the material and result in poorer wetting of thermally treated wood by waterborne adhesives. Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood with two commercial amino resins, melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) and melamine–formaldehyde (MF), and a two-component polyurethane (PUR) adhesive was investigated. Both wood species were modified according to two temperature regimes: 160°C and 190°C. Shear strengths of the joints were then determined according to EN 205:2003 standard. The results showed that thermally modified beech and birch wood can be effectively glued not only with commercially available PUR adhesives, but also with aqueous MF and MUF resins. The resultant shear strengths of the joints were limited by the strength of the thermally modified substrate.     

Tensile strength of softwood butt end joints. Part 2: Improvement of bond strength by a hydroxymethylated resorcinol primer

Abstract

In a previous study it was shown that the mechanical stability of an end-grain joint bonded with a one-component polyurethane adhesive (PUR) was insufficient compared with melamine–urea–formaldehyde and phenol–resorcinol–formaldehyde bonding. Based on this, the aim of this study was to improve the mechanical stability of the end-grain joint by means of a hydroxymethylated resorcinol (HMR) primer and by increasing the spreading quantity. To study the effect of HMR and the increased spreading quantity on the adhesive bond strength of end-grain to end-grain-bonded wood samples, three-part Norway spruce wood specimens were tested in tension. Before bonding, each end-grain surface was treated with an aqueous solution of HMR. The two axially orientated outer parts of the specimens were jointed with the middle part using a PUR adhesive. Compared with untreated, i.e. non-primed samples, the tensile strength of HMR-treated specimens was more than doubled. Furthermore, a positive effect of increased adhesive spread was shown for untreated PUR-bonded samples. An increase in adhesive spread by a factor of 1.6 led to an improvement in tensile strength by a factor of about 2.6.     

Influence of growth ring angle,adhesive system and viscosity on the shear strength of adhesive bonds

Abstract

To investigate the influence of growth ring angle, adhesive system and viscosity on the bonding properties of adhesive bonds, shear tension tests according to DIN EN 302-1 (2004) were conducted using one-component moisture-curing polyurethane, polyvinylacetate and urea-formaldehyde. Significant differences between the systems could be detected, which were reflected in the predominant failure behaviour for each system. Specimens showing wood failure were influenced mainly by the wood factors, whereas samples which had failed in the adhesive part of the bond differed only in the adhesive properties. The growth ring angle showed the same tendencies as it does in plain wood. Therefore, to gain more information on the adhesive performance in the bond, a loading along the LT plane seems more appropriate for beech wood used in DIN EN 302-1 (2004).     

Modulus of elasticity in scarf-jointed wooden beams: a case study with polyvinyl acetate and isocyanate adhesives

In the present study, elastic properties of scarf-jointed oak (Quercus castaneifolia) timbers with the application of two different types of adhesives (polyvinyl acetate and isocyanate) were evaluated using free flexural vibration of free–free beam method in different flexural directions of vibration, i.e., tangential and redial directions. Samples were taken from trees of Hyrcanian forests in Iran with nominal dimensions of 20 × 20 × 360 mm³. Comparing the results of elastic properties of clear oak wood beams with scarf-jointed samples wood showed that scarf joints with the bonding angles of 70° and 75°, covered by polyvinyl acetate adhesive, did not demonstrate any significant effect on modules of elasticity. Scarf-jointed beams with smaller joint angles (60° and 65°) were considerably weaker or totally unreliable in their moduli of elasticity. It is also shown that the magnitude of effect gets worst by using isocyanate rather than polyvinyl acetate adhesive.     

Urea-formaldehyde microspheres as a potential additive to wood adhesive

Urea formaldehyde (UF) resins are important for wood industry due to their attractive properties at reasonable price. Particulate fillers added to UF are of interest with regard to improving the functionality of UF and also in terms of reduced UF consumption. To study their potential as filler, solid UF microspheres were synthesized and characterised respecting its morphology, chemical curing and thermal stability. Marigold flower structured spheres with diameters between 5 and 20 µm are presented and application trials demonstrated that high amounts of UF may be replaced by solid microspheres without impairing adhesive bond strength of solid wood bond lines. Fluorescence microscopy showed that microspheres greatly reduce adhesive penetration into the wood substrate, retaining the modified adhesive in the bondline. UF microspheres may thus be considered as viable filler for UF adhesives, particularly with regard to the possibility of endowing them with added functionality like self-healing properties.     

Technological heterogeneity of adhesive bonds in wood joints

 Gluing of wood is among the most effective methods for the permanent joining of furniture elements or building woodwork manufactured from wood. Technological errors occurring during the preparation process of the glue material may lead to variations in the strength of adhesive/wood joints. The purpose of the described research project was to investigate the effect of the heterogeneity of the glue bond on the distribution of tangential stresses in furniture joints, especially the effect of gas cavities, faulty glue bonds and glue outflows on the distribution of tangential stresses in adhesive bonded overlap, cross and angle wood joints. Using developed numerical models, it was shown that shear stresses in bonds of cross and angle joints reach their maximum values in corners of joints. The torsion center of cross joints is situated in the geometrical center of the bond, while in angle joints – it is found half-way through the length of one of the perpendicular edges of the joint. It was also proven that gas cavities present in the glue bond contribute to increased stresses in the neighbourhood of the source of heterogeneity. This phenomenon initiates a process of de-cohesion and, hence, reduces the overall strength of the joint. Faulty gluing, similar to gas cavities, constitutes a potential source of stress-breaking processes and reduces the strength of joints. On the other hand, glue outflows present in wood bonds increase their strength by expanding the initiation threshold of fractures even in situations where technological heterogeneity of the glue bond occurs. In furniture constructions as well as in large-size building woodwork constructions or, wherever grace and elegance of the finished product is of lesser importance, glue outflows can be treated as a positive and desirable phenomenon. Received 13 March 1999     

Water vapour diffusion through historically relevant glutin-based wood adhesives with sorption measurements and neutron radiography

In this work, the sorption and moisture diffusion behaviour of historically relevant glutin-based adhesives (i.e. bone glue, hide glue, fish glue) is characterized. The adhesive’s sorption isotherms were assessed on thin film samples revealing fundamental differences between the glutin-based adhesives and the synthetic reference adhesive (polyurethane). Furthermore, the water vapour diffusion parallel to the fibre was examined by means of neutron imaging on bonded two-layer samples of Norway spruce wood. In contrast to previous studies using neutron imaging, a new evaluation approach is presented, which allows for nonzero initial moisture conditions and takes into account and compensates for the geometry changes in the sample caused by swelling and shrinkage, thus allowing for a characterization of the diffusion behaviour within the glue line. The diffusion coefficients determined with neutron imaging were interpreted in terms of a theoretical model which takes into account the glue line microstructure. Although the diffusion coefficients were on average larger values for the glutin-based adhesives compared to the reference polyurethane adhesive, the significant variation observed in the sorption measurement is not reflected. This can partially be ascribed to excessive penetration of the adhesives into the wood substrate in fibre direction, which impedes a continuous adhesive layer. Furthermore, deformation and densification of the wood structure was assessed in the vicinity of the adhesive joint. This effect can be ascribed to the surface roughness, which results in very high local stresses leading to buckling and deformation of the tracheids. This situation is similar to that found for adhesive joints in or close to the fibre direction such as finger or butt joints.     

Comparative analysis of a wood: adhesive bondline

The wood–adhesive interface was analyzed using five methods with the objective of quantitatively assessing penetration of adhesive into the porous wood network. Methods included fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, backscatter electron imaging, wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray microtomography (XMT). Each method provided a visual inspection, and all of the analysis methods were applied to the same field of view. XMT was the primary technique of interest. Rubidium hydroxide was used in place of sodium hydroxide in the formulation of phenol–formaldehyde adhesive. Rubidium was found to increase the X-ray attenuation of the adhesive. However, rubidium migrated beyond the adhesive interphase during specimen preparation, thus reducing its effectiveness for image contrast enhancement. The wood species studied included red oak (Quercus rubra), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus trichocarpa). All techniques used for this study were useful, but each presented some limitations for bondline analysis. Despite the problem with rubidium migration, XMT for this application was promising.     

Erratum to: Comparative analysis of a wood-adhesive bondline

The wood–adhesive interface was analyzed using five methods with the objective of quantitatively assessing penetration of adhesive into the porous wood network. Methods included fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, backscatter electron imaging, wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray microtomography (XMT). Each method provided a visual inspection, and all of the analysis methods were applied to the same field of view. XMT was the primary technique of interest. Rubidium hydroxide was used in place of sodium hydroxide in the formulation of phenol–formaldehyde adhesive. Rubidium was found to increase the X-ray attenuation of the adhesive. However, rubidium migrated beyond the adhesive interphase during specimen preparation, thus reducing its effectiveness for image contrast enhancement. The wood species studied included red oak (Quercus rubra), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus trichocarpa). All techniques used for this study were useful, but each presented some limitations for bondline analysis. Despite the problem with rubidium migration, XMT for this application was promising.     

Strength of profile-adhesive joints

The current article presents an attempt to describe the strength of profile-adhesive joints. Its main objective was to develop mathematical models describing phenomena occurring in bent mortise joints prevalent in constructions of skeleton furniture, but also to determine factors influencing the strength of profile-adhesive joints. The presented cases of gluing of a mortise joint reveal that mutual interactions of compressed wood surfaces influence significantly the strength of the developed node. In extreme cases, when a glue bond fails to form on surfaces of elements, the strength of the joint will depend only on the compression strength of wood. That is why, despite the impairment of the adhesive bond, the construction will still be able to carry considerable outside loads. However, the best situation is when well fitted elements of the joint, compressing one another, reduce stresses in the glue bond and increase its strength above the value of outside loads exceeding greatly the shear strength of the glue. Received 1 November 1999     

An application of the Tsaï criterion as a plastic flow law for timber bolted joint modelling

Summary This paper describes a modelling approach to predict the behaviour of an elementary thin timber bolted joint. The application concerns principally joints with steel side members; bolts have a constant 12 mm diameter with two ratios of end distance to bolt diameter and two bolt clearances. The behaviour of the bolted joints is characterized by a double non linearity; the first one is due to the contact area evolution between the bolt and the hole of the jointed elements. The second one is owing to the evolution of plasticity on the wood. A spring element compatible with isoparametric plane finite elements represents the contact evolution. The elastic-plastic wood is provided with a plastic flow rule according to the Tsa? criterion. This study allows an investigation on the parameters characterizing the Tsa? criterion, particularly F₁₂ which represents the interaction between the principal axis of orthotropy. A two-dimensional model is used. It permits the assessment of the clearance bolt, joint dimensions, wood plasticity and wood grain angle effect on the joint behaviour. The wood grain angle has a non negligible effect on the plastic strains distribution and it can create a parasite loading because the joint tends to rotate even for an axial loading. The results showed a good agreement between experimental values given by some authors and numerically-predicted stresses on the joint. So, the applications concern a two-dimensional joint with anisotropic plastic material. The generalization in the three-dimensional modelling is desirable to take into account the interaction between the wood and a metallic fastener in thick joints with different geometric characteristics.     

Evaluation of wood cutting forces in dry and wet conditions by small-scale chipping tests applying different analysis methods

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of high moisture content in comparison to dry timber on the resulting cutting forces based on experimental small-scale chipping tests. Therefore, a wood chipper for single cuts is designed and different species of Austrian locally growing trees are utilized. The test specimens are investigated in almost dry and soaked wet conditions. The resistance of wood is measured utilizing a force sensor and the signal during the cutting process is subsequently analysed by two different methods. The results reveal that the mean value of the acting force during cutting is 38–81% minor compared to the maximum force. Even though the peak of the dynamically acting load is measured for just a comparably small time range, it reveals an impact on the fatigue behaviour of the tool as well as the tool supporting material. Hence, an approach of evaluated load spectra is applied to include the load distribution of the chipping process. The effect of dry and wet wood on the cutting resistance is examined, whereby wood exhibiting a high moisture content of 30–40% changes the acting load up to 98%, depending on the method of analysis.     

Influence of crossing-beam shoulder and wood species on moment-carrying capacity in a Korean traditional dovetail joint

This study investigated the interaction effects of a crossing beam on the moment-carrying capacity of a Korean traditional dovetail joint. In particular, the length of the crossing-beam shoulder (B _s ) and the wood species were varied as important factors. Clearly, the B _s acts as a fastener that improves the performance of timber joints by preventing splitting failure parallel to the grain. All the specimens experienced tension failure by tension force in the direction perpendicular to the grain; therefore, the tension strength perpendicular to the grain could be considered an important property, and standard values could be determined to develop a formula for predicting the structural behavior of the joints or the structural design codes of the joints. The results of the tests indicated that the moment resistance of the joints increased as the length of the crossing B _s and the density of the wood species increased. Joint stiffness results also indicated that the joints became stiffer when the crossing beam had shoulders, but the results were not affected by the length of the B _s . In addition, the joint stiffness was proportional to the density of the wood species.     

Wood welding: A challenging alternative to conventional wood gluing

Abstract

The recent finding of a new way to assemble two pieces of wood by mechanically induced wood welding opens a new and challenging perspective for producing more environmentally friendly wooden products, i.e. without glue. This process, recently applied to solid wood, needs to be better understood to investigate the dependence of the variability of wood properties on the welding parameters. The two applications presented are the linear vibration welding and direct rotational friction welding. In each case different wood species were tested. In the most favourable cases the wood joints yielded structural grade strength. The resulting bond densification was analysed by the mean of wood density maps for oak, beech, spruce and pine. If this technique proves successful, it could change significantly the future of the furniture industry. The objectives of this article are to present the main results obtained so far and to suggest different research areas needed to improve this new way of jointing solid wood.     

Strength performance of mortise and loose-tenon furniture joints under uniaxial bending moment

We determined the effects of adhesive type and loose tenon dimensions （length and thickness） on bending strength of T-shaped mor- tise and loose-tenon joints. Polyvinyl acetate （PVAc） and two-component polyurethane （PU） adhesives were used to construct joint specimens. The bending moment capacity of joints increased significantly with increased length and thickness of the loose tenon. Bending moment capacity of joints constructed with PU adhesive was approximately 13% higher than for joints constructed with PVAc adhesive. We developed a predictive equation as a function of adhesive type and loose tenon dimensions to estimate the strength of the joints constructed of oriental beech （Fagus orientalis L.） under uniaxial bending load.