Manufacturing of LVL using cost-effective resin impregnation and layup technologies

The purpose of this study was to develop a cost-effective method to manufacture high-performance laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from mountain pine beetle (MPB)-affected veneers through partial resin impregnation and optimum board layup. Dry MPB-affected veneer sheets were segregated into two stress grades based on dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE). A new phenol formaldehyde resin with a 30% solids content was formulated for resin impregnation. To reduce resin consumption, only veneer sheets used as outer layers were dipped in the resin for 5?min and then dried to manufacture 13-ply LVL. The bending properties, shear strength and dimensional stability of these LVL billets were examined and compared to those from the controls made from entirely untreated veneers. The results demonstrated that high-grade (E1) MPB-affected veneers had lower resin solids uptake than low-grade (E2) counterparts based on a 5?min dipping. Compared with the controls, the LVL billets made from resin-impregnated veneers for outer layers yielded increased surface hardness, significantly improved dimensional stability, shear strength and modulus of rupture on both edgewise and flatwise as well as better appearance with no cosmetic concerns. However, the improvement in LVL bending MOE was dependent on initial veneer stress grade. For high-grade (or density) E1 veneers, the use of impregnated veneers resulted in insignificant improvement in bending MOE. The optimum product layup was to place one ply of impregnated E1 grade veneer each for product face and back. By contrast, for low-grade (or density) E2 veneers, the use of impregnated veneers yielded a significantly higher flatwise bending MOE compared to the controls. The recommended product layup was the placement of two plies of impregnated E2 grade veneer sheets each for product face and back.     

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.     

Performance of particleboard manufactured using air-injection press II: effects of board density and thickness on the performance of board manufactured from low-moisture particles

Particleboards of different densities (0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 g/cm³) and thicknesses (10 and 20 mm) were manufactured from low-moisture particles using an air-injection press. The effects of the air injection on preventing blowout of the boards of different densities and thicknesses were investigated by artificially creating blowout-prone conditions using metal frames. The effects of the air-injection pressure on the board performance were also investigated. 10-mm-thick boards of 0.8 g/cm³ pressed at 170 °C blew out when air was not injected, but were successfully manufactured by injecting air. 10-mm-thick boards at 150 °C showed constant internal bond (IB), regardless of density, but at 170 °C, IB was higher in boards of higher densities. This was likely due to accelerated hardening of the urea–formaldehyde resin at 170 than 150 °C. At both pressing temperatures, low air-injection pressure did not cause blowout and a reduction in board performance. Air injection also prevented the blowout of thick boards of 20 mm and enabled successful manufacture, showing its effectiveness. The IB of the 20-mm-thick board manufactured using the air-injection press exceeded that of 20-mm-thick board manufactured using an ordinary hot press.     

Compression control and its significance in the manufacture and effects on properties of poplar LVL

Summary In order to control the compression effectively, the main processing parameters for hot-pressing of poplar LVL were investigated in this study. Results from an orthogonal experiment show qualitatively that compression of poplar LVL is influenced by pressing pressure and moisture content of the veneers. High press pressure and veneer moisture content lead to high compression during hot pressing. It is shown that compression has significant effects on modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, specific gravity and thickness swelling of poplar LVL. Modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and specific gravity appear to be directly proportional to compression within the compression range of 5% to 20%. Horizontal shear strength results indicate that, due to inadequate contact, proper glue bond may not be achieved between veneers of LVL with low compression. Thickness swelling appears not sensitive to compression between the compression range of 4% to 10%.The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to this study, which was carried out when the first author was a visiting scientist at Wood Science and Technology Centre, University of New Brunswick, Canada. The veneers and adhesive used in this study were provided by Temlam Inc., Ville-Marie, Quebec. Their contribution is gratefully acknowledged.     

Effects of short-term thermomechanical densification on the structure and properties of wood veneers

The effects of short-term thermomechanical (STTM) densification temperature and pressure on the changes in surface roughness, wettability, mass loss (ML), thickness and density of alder, beech, birch, and pine wood veneer with low moisture content (~5%) were investigated. The anatomical structure of veneers was also observed. Veneer sheets were densified using pressure levels of 4, 8 and 12 MPa at three temperatures: 100°C, 150°C and 200°C for 4 min. The results were compared with those of the non-densified veneers. The obtained results show that STTM densification of veneers similarly to long-term densification of solid wood causes irreversible changes in their properties. The STTM-densified veneer surfaces became smoother and more hydrophobic, ML increased slightly while roughness and thickness values decreased significantly, the cell lumens collapsed and a certain amount of fractures in cell walls developed with increasing densification temperature and pressure. All of the investigated wood species showed higher density values after densification. It was found that an even STTM densification of veneers provides stable properties under normal atmosphere conditions; in particular, the thickness and contact angle values were stable for 24 hours after densification, which is an important consideration for industrial applications.     

A study on contact drying with flexible screen

hibobctionHOt press drying is referred to dry veneers betweenplat6ns. H6St is thensPOrt6d from plat6n to veneercontinuousty (Sandoe 1983). Many experiments haveshown that hot press may reduce drying time andIncreaSe h6at nescient. In addition, hot press driedveneer is flat and smOOth, which is desirable to glue,~bly as well as curtsin coat (Lu 1993). Compered We conventional air circulating drieF, hot pressdrier 1. simpler in struCture, cheaper in price andmore economical in operation (L…     

Study on drying rate in contact drying with flexible screen

IntroductionA new type contact dryer with non-metal flexibleplaten was patented in 1998 in China, which specialstructure and material solved the problem of low productivity in platen drying. The machine was similar tohot press. Direct contact betWeen wood and heatedplaten allows rapid heat transfer by conduction (Sandoe 1983). Though the flexible screen conducts heatslower than metal platen does, it transfers massmuch fast6r. So water removing rate decides veneerdrying rate in the new machin…     

Surface quality sensing of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) veneer products by near infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate wood moisture content (MC), surface energy characteristics and adhesive bond strength were evaluated on aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) veneer subjected to different drying times. For samples dried progressively at 103°C, the best MC prediction model was for the total MC range (0–100%) with an R² value of 0.68. However, exposure at 180°C produced surface colour changes, and the CIE L*a*b* colour parameters measuring colour changes were better estimated using the 400–900 nm spectral data than the 1100–2400 nm spectral data. Increased exposure time at 180°C resulted in lower wettability and, hence, larger contact angles, especially when ethylene glycol was used as probe solvent. Lap shear strength tests on veneers showed that adhesion by phenol formaldehyde resins was impaired by the high temperature exposure; however, the lap shear strength test had high variability so there was not always a clear relationship between contact angle and lap shear strength test.     

Tensile strength of thermally modified laminated strand lumber and laminated veneer lumber

Laminated strand lumber (LSL) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) were thermally modified as a post-treatment at 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C, and 180°C. The tension modulus of elasticity (MOE) of LSL was not significantly impacted by the treatments, with the 180°C treatment group exhibiting the highest tension MOE (11.8?GPa). The LVL also experienced minimal impacts, with the 150°C treatment group having the highest tension MOE (19.4?GPa) and the 160°C treatment group exhibiting the lowest (17.1?GPa). The maximum tensile strength (MTS) of the LSL and LVL significantly decreased with increasing temperatures, with the control and 180°C treatment groups experiencing the highest and lowest MTS, respectively. The lowest MTS for LSL was 10.8?MPa (180°C treatment), which was 70% lower than the controls. The lowest MTS of the LVL was 24.4?MPa (also at the 180°C treatment), which was a 49% decrease compared to the controls. These results suggest that thermal-modification post-treatments minimally impact tension MOE, but can significantly reduce MTS at higher treatment temperatures. Combined with previous work improving the moisture properties and equilibrium moisture content of thermally modified LSL and LVL, it may be possible to optimize the treatment technique(s) to yield products with desirable properties.     

密实型杨木单板层积材制造技术

介绍了单板层积材、密实型单板层积材在国内外的研究和利用概况.探讨了采用低分子量酚醛树脂浸渍处理杨木单板的方法制备杨木单板层积材的生产技术.结果表明:施胶量相当时,浸渍方式与涂胶方式生产的单板层积材相比,密度相当,吸水厚度膨胀(24hTS)降低了24%,胶合强度提高了:16%,弹性模量(MOE)和静曲强度(MOR)分别提高了20.17%和44.76%.采用浸渍树脂方式生产的密实型强化杨木单板层积材随着吸药量的增多,密度增大;24hTS减小;胶合强度随着吸药量的增加先增大而后趋于平稳;MOE和MOR先增大后减小.当吸药量为168%时,MOE、MOR达到最大,分别为15.34GPa和135.31 MPa.密实型强化单板层积材能够满足建筑和木结构等结构材要求,具有良好的发展空间.     

Influence of pressing parameters on mechanical and physical properties of self-bonded laminated beech boards

Abstract

Five-ply self-bonded boards were obtained by pressing beech veneers parallel to the grain without additional adhesives, steam or pre-treatment. Fifteen different combinations of pressing parameters were tested, including temperature (200°C, 225°C and 250°C), pressure (4, 5 and 6 MPa) and pressing time (240, 300 and 360 seconds). Due to severe pressing conditions, the new product showed a higher density and different properties compared to a conventionally glued laminated wooden board. The self-bonding quality was assessed through dry shear strength tests, through a three-point bending test and a water-soaking test at 20°C. The dimensions in the cross section of the boards were measured after soaking in water. Results show that the choice of pressing parameters affects all the mechanical and physical properties tested. A statistical analysis revealed that the pressing temperature is the most influential parameter. Boards pressed at 200°C delaminated rapidly in water, whereas boards pressed at 225°C delaminated only at core-positioned layers after 48 hours and boards pressed at 250°C did not delaminate at all in water. Compared to panels pressed at lower temperatures, boards pressed at 250°C had the highest density, a higher shear and bending strength and a lower water absorption.     

Properties of particleboard manufactured using an air-injection radio-frequency hot press

A hot press was used to manufacture particleboards (H boards). A radio-frequency hot press (for RH boards) and an air-injection radio-frequency hot press (for ARH board) were also used, and the effects of air injection on preventing blowout and board properties were analyzed. The thicknesses and densities of manufactured boards were 10 and 30 mm, and 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 g/cm³, respectively. The investigation ascertained the effects of air injection in preventing blowout when a radio-frequency hot press is used. The increasing order of temperature was ARH board > RH board > H board during the final pressing stage. For the 30-mm-thick boards, the temperature of H board increased to 100 °C and remained constant at 100 °C even when the pressing time was extended. The temperature of the RH board increased to 100 °C more quickly than in the case of the H board and remained constant at 110–118 °C. The temperature of the ARH board increased linearly to 130–142 °C. For both the 10- and 30-mm-thick boards, the internal bond strength of the RH board was almost the same as that of the ARH board at densities of 0.6 and 0.7 g/cm³. In contrast, the internal bond strength of the RH board was lower than that of the ARH board at a density of 0.8 g/cm³. For the 10-mm-thick boards, the thickness swelling in the RH board was almost the same as that in the ARH board irrespective of the density. However, for the 30-mm-thick boards, the thickness swelling in the RH board was higher than that in the ARH board. The low plasticization of particles due to air injection presumably results in a high degree of thickness swelling.     

Calculation models of pressure and position of curved laminated veneer lumber in molds during pressing

Curved laminated veneer lumber (LVL) for use in furniture-making was produced from glue-coated pieces of rotary-cut veneers that were assembled and pressed between molds. Pressure was applied until glue-lines were set and finally held in an assembly of the desired curvature. Pressure was an important factor during pressing of curved LVL. In this study we deduced some equations for designing the shape of molds and calculating the total pressure from the mechanics. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The position angle of every section of curved LVL assembly in molds on the horizontal and the total pressure during pressing can be calculated in relation to the shapes and dimensions of the curved LVL. (2) The pressure distributions in the glue-line measured using pressure-sensitive film were in good agreement with the glue-line unit pressure provided for the experiment and calculation. Therefore, the equations deduced in this study were suitable for calculating the position angle and pressure of curved LVL in molds. (3) The total pressure on curved LVL was greater than the pressure on straight LVL. The total pressure consisted of the pressure on the glue-lines of straight LVL with the same length and width as curved LVL plus the supplementary pressure needed to bend the veneers. (4) The total pressures and position angles of curved LVL in molds were affected by the shape, bent angle, and length of each section of curved LVL.The outline of this study was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 3, 1998     

Experimental study of the effect of soaking temperature on the peeling parameters of two oak species (Quercus canariensis Willd. and Quercus afares Pomel)

ABSTRACT

Veneer checking is a common enough occurrence in woodworking. It appears as cracks in the veneer and generally following the grain. Their appearance and the variation of their depth and frequencies have tremendous impact on their utilization. Finding a means of identifying and characterizing the veneer checks is an important ongoing challenge. An automated device, named SMOF, was developed in LABOMAP (Arts et Metiers – France) and achieves this task. By using the SMOF device, the lathe checks occurred in veneers of two species: zeen oak (Quercus canariensis Willd.) and afares oak (Quercus afares Pomel) were detected, automatically imaged and then, the depth and intervals of checks measured. The results were described by statistical distributions that exhibited abnormalities, such as skewness and kurtosis, which were assessed by mode analysis. It has been established that hot soaking temperature (from 60°C to 90°C) reduce slightly the cutting forces for both species, no produce significant heart checks within the loose side of veneers. However, low soaking temperature (from 50°C to 65°C) allow avoiding deeper lathe checking, producing shallower ones acceptable for veneer production.     

Properties of red maple laminated veneer lumber impregnated with waterborne micronized and two soluble copper formulations

ABSTRACT

Certain important quality parameters of red maple (Acer rubrum) laminated veneer lumber (LVL) impregnated with three waterborne formulations: copper azole (CA-B), micronized copper azole (MicroCA or MCA) and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ-D) bonded with phenol formaldehyde or cross-linked polyvinyl acetate (XPVAc) adhesives were evaluated. Pre-dipping of veneers before LVL production and two post-manufacturing procedures, viz., vacuum-pressure and post-dipping of LVL, were applied. Maximum copper retention in pre-dip-treated, vacuum-pressure and post-dip-treated LVL was 1.4, 9.7 and 1.7?kg/m³, respectively. Copper retention in MCA-treated LVL was relatively lower than soluble formulations. Various physical, mechanical and bonding properties of treated LVL such as density, water absorption, swelling, flexural properties, hardness, tensile shear strength, delamination and wood failure (%) were studied and compared with untreated LVL. Little to negligible deleterious effect was observed on properties of LVL due to these chemical treatments. Analysis of variance results showed that most of properties of red maple LVL were not significantly different compared with those of untreated LVL. Therefore, vacuum-pressure impregnation process can be used to treat the red maple LVL with novel micronized copper formulations for increasing the service life of such products against biodegradation without affecting techno-mechanical quality parameters.     

Application of hot water emasculation to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis> for controlled pollination

To determine the viability of hot water emasculation for Acacia auriculiformis, spikes composed of about 100 flowers were soaked in hot water at varying temperatures (45–60°C) and for varying lengths of time (5 s to 7 min) prior to anthesis. The rate of squashed polyads, each of which consisted of 16 pollen grains, and the germinating rate on media, decreased with temperature and time. A mating test suggested that the rates of adhering polyads per stigma and germinating polyads per stigma were lower in the self-pollination of soaked spikes than in that of normal spikes. On the other hand, the number of matured pods was not significantly different in the mating between the spikes receiving the soaking treatment (♀) and the spikes receiving no treatment (♂) compared with the mating between normal spikes. Although further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment conditions, these results suggest that soaking spikes into hot water, especially at 50°C for 45 s, 54°C for 15 s, and 56°C for 10 s, is an effective emasculation technique.     

Long-term material properties of circular hollow laminated veneer lumber sections under water saturation and cement alkaline attack

ABSTRACT

Innovative beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL) circular hollow sections for the use as temporary geotechnical soil nailing systems are currently being developed. Due to the permanent subsoil cement embedment, combined with high water saturation and permanent loading, the timber sections will lose strength and stiffness over time to a degree currently unknown. This paper presents the tensile and bending material properties of flat and curved beech LVL under various periods of immersion in a water–cement grout solution aiming at inducing both water saturation and long-term alkaline attack of the timber. In total, 824 and 279 samples were tested in tension and bending, respectively. Results show that samples manufactured from 3?mm thick veneers result in tensile strength and stiffness 17% and 24% higher, respectively, than samples manufactured from 2?mm thick veneers. A reduction in the initial bending and tensile strength of up to 70% was found after 90 days of water saturation and cement contact. Taking into account a duration of load factor for permanent loading of two years, it is recommended to reduce the short-term tensile and bending strength of beech circular hollow sections to be used as geotechnical anchors by 80%.     

Investigation of a new natural adhesive composed of citric acid and sucrose for particleboard

The development of a natural adhesive composed of materials derived from non-fossil resources is a very important issue. In this study, only citric acid and sucrose were used as adhesive materials for particleboard. A water solution in which citric acid and sucrose were dissolved was used as an adhesive, and the manufacture of particleboard with a target density of 0.8 g/cm³ was attempted under a press condition of 200 °C for 10 min. The optimum mixture ratio of citric acid and sucrose and the optimum resin content was 25–75 and 30 wt%, respectively. The modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity in bending were 20.6 MPa and 4.6 GPa, respectively. The internal bond strength (IB) was 1.6 MPa, indicating that the adhesive had excellent bond strength. The thickness swelling (TS) after water immersion for 24 h at 20 °C was 11.9 %. The board did not decompose even under more severe accelerated treatments. This meant that the adhesion had good water resistance. The MOR, IB and TS of the board were comparable to or higher than the requirement of the 18 type of JIS A 5908 (2003). Consequently, there is a possibility that a mixture of citric acid and sucrose can be used as a natural adhesive for particleboard.     

Comparative study on physical and mechanical properties of laminated veneer lumber and plywood panels made of wood from fast-growing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelina arborea</Emphasis> trees

Laminated products, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or plywood (PW), have become important recently. The objective of this study was to determine and compare properties of panels fabricated with veneers of Gmelina arborea trees in a fast-growth plantation and glued with phenol formaldehyde resin. The results showed that LVL and PW physical and mechanical properties are comparable to those of solid wood with a specify gravity of 0.60. Moreover, these panels can be cataloged into group 2 of PS 1–95 of the Voluntary Products Standard of the United States. The difference in physical properties was not statistically significant between LVL and PW panels, except for water absorption. Some mechanical properties, such as hardness and glue-line shear, modulus of rupture in perpendicular flexure, nail and screw withdrawal parallel, and perpendicular strength, were statistically different between LVL and PW. However, no differences were established for the modulus of elasticity, tensile strength parallel to the surface, or tensile strength perpendicular to the surface. The differences were attributed to the venners’ orientation in the panels studied.     

Multifunctional sol-gel coatings for protection of wood

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid sol-gel coatings derived from sols synthesized using two organically modified precursors were generated on wood specimens using dip and spray coating techniques. One of the sols was synthesized using methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and nanoscaled boehmite particles and the other was synthesized using dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDEOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The coatings were generated on the wood specimens by dipping into the sols for specific time periods and by using spray coating method. The coatings were cured at different temperatures for varying soaking times. The dipping times, curing temperature, and soaking times were varied between 24–96 h, 130–200°C and 1–5 h, respectively. The coated samples were characterized for their water contact angles, microstructure, and resistance to water uptake. The coatings derived from MPTMS+boehmite sol were seen to exhibit better performance than DMDEOS+TEOS sol by forming a good barrier on the wood surface, thereby providing superior resistance to water and weather. Dipping of wood into the sol was seen to provide better protection when compared to spray coating. Dipping into the MPTMS+boehmite sol for 24 h and curing at 130°C for 2 h were found to be the optimal processing parameters yielding the best properties.