Charalampos Lykidis

Quality control methods for thermally modified wood

Abstract Thermally modified wood (TMW) is currently produced commercially by a range of processes across many countries. A prerequisite of the commercial success is an efficient quality control (QC), and methods with this regard are discussed in this review. When direct measurement of the key attribute of the material is not feasible, QC is based on a suitably chosen physical or chemical “marker”. A critical evaluation of currently applied markers reveals that most of them only provide data for comparative purposes for a particular species and/or over a narrow process range. Such markers do not allow making an objective judgment of quality, which is independent of process information or reference samples provided by the manufacturer. On the other hand, they can be very useful for monitoring product variability in the TMW factory and wood during the heat treatment. Recommendations for future development are the general validation of (combinations of) known TMW markers for different wood species and processes, resulting in (1) a reliable and fast laboratory QC method for given samples of unknown origin, (2) a simple and fast indicative QC test for end users, and (3) in-line product markers for feedback-controlled production.

Effects of nano-sized zinc oxide and zinc borate impregnation on brown rot resistance of black pine (Pinus nigra L.) wood

Abstract In this work, the brown rot resistance of black pine (Pinus nigra L.) wood, pressure-treated in an autoclave with nano-sized zinc borate and zinc oxide dispersions, was investigated. The two formulations based on zinc borate have given encouraging results, indicating fungicide effects of the metal nanoparticles on Coniophora puteana. In specific, mean weight losses for P. nigra sapwood exposed to this fungus (one without and one with the addition of a binder) were negligible, that is 0.54% and 0.34%, respectively. On the contrary, the impregnation of pine wood with nano-sized zinc oxide resulted in minimal protection, i.e. 35.9% weight loss. Therefore, nano-sized zinc borate can be utilised in new formulations to impart resistance to wood against the brown rot C. puteana.

Utilisation of wood biomass residues from fruit tree branches, evergreen hardwood shrubs and Greek fir wood as raw materials for particleboard production. Part A. Mechanical properties

Abstract This paper investigates the potential of utilising wood biomass from fruit tree branches and evergreen hardwood shrubs as raw materials in the production of particleboards when mixed with Greek fir wood particles. The main mechanical properties of the boards made therefrom were determined and compared with those made of typical industrial wood (IW) particles. The highest modulus of rupture and elasticity (30.0 N/mm2 and 4330 N/mm2, respectively) in bending and screw withdrawal (SW) resistance (127.8 N/mm) were reported for boards made of Greek fir and were downgraded when the fruit tree branches or evergreen hardwood shrub particles also participated. The participation of fruit tree branch particles in proportions higher than 50% improved the internal bond (IB) of fir produced boards, while the highest IB strength (0.95 N/mm2) was reported for boards made of fruit tree branches. Particleboards made of evergreen hardwood shrubs showed inferior mechanical properties compared with those made of IW particles. The latter also showed superior bending strength but inferior SW resistance compared with boards made of fruit tree branches. Hygroscopic and other properties are under determination and will be presented and discussed in the second part of the work.

Quality characteristics of hydrothermally recycled particleboards using various wood recovery parameters

Abstract The aim of the present paper was to study the effect of some particle recovery parameters on the quality of hydrothermally recycled particleboards. The research was carried out in two phases: rough evaluation of various recovery parameters and determination of the recycled particleboard properties. It was concluded that the optimum group of hydrothermal recovery parameters (among those tested in this investigation) were 45% water retention/150°C temperature/10 min duration. This conclusion relies on the below-mentioned facts: the conditions of recovery parameters 45%/150°C/10 min resulted in the lowest agglomeration ratio in the recovered material in relation to the other recovery parameters examined in the first and second phases. Concerning the properties of the recycled particleboards, it was observed that the boards that were produced utilising the above-mentioned recovery parameters showed the best internal bond, surface soundness, modulus of elasticity in bending, hygroscopic properties and free formaldehyde content values.

Biological resistance of pine wood treated with nano-sized zinc oxide and zinc borate against brown-rot fungi

In this work, the biological resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood impregnated with nano-sized zinc oxide and zinc borate against the fungi Daedalea quercina, Poria placenta and Serpula lacrymans was evaluated. It can be concluded that nano-sized zinc oxide inhibited the biological degradation of pine wood against Serpula lacrymans, while it was ineffective against the brown-rot fungus Poria placenta. Pine wood treated with nano-sized zinc borate exhibited higher biological resistance against the fungi Serpula lacrymans and Poria placenta.

Termite resistance of beech wood treated with zinc oxide and zinc borate nanocompounds

ABSTRACT The field of wood protection is currently changing due to the restrictions imposed by the Biocidal Products Regulation. The need for development of new wood protection technologies is therefore growing. In this work, the resistance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood impregnated with nano-dispersions of zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) and zinc borate (nano-ZnB) against the termite Reticulitermes grassei Clement was investigated. Three different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%) of the nanocompounds were tested. The effects of water leaching were also investigated. A severe effect in terms of termite workers mortality was induced by both dispersions, even at the lowest concentration. In terms of termite feeding, nano-ZnO dispersions appeared to be more efficient than nano-ZnB as they induced significant improvement at concentrations as low as 0.5%. Nano-ZnB was applied at 1% or higher concentrations in order to impart similar changes. Nano-ZnB dispersions were efficient in terms of termite resistance for a concentration at least 1%. Further increasing concentration to 2% resulted in a respective increase of wood efficacy against termites. For both tested nanocompounds, water leaching did not result in any significant increase of termite feeding.

Utilization of wood biomass residues from fruit tree branches, evergreen hardwood shrubs, and Greek fir wood as raw materials for particleboard production. Part B. Hygroscopic properties and formaldehyde content

Abstract This paper investigates the basic hygroscopic properties and formaldehyde content (FC) of particleboards produced with wood biomass from fruit tree branches and evergreen hardwood shrubs as substitute raw materials for fir particles. One-layer laboratory particleboards with two distinct target densities (0.63 g/cm3 and 0.69 g/cm3) were produced using various mixtures of the above materials. Industrially produced wood particles were also used for comparison purposes. The results showed that the replacement of fir wood (FW) by evergreen hardwood material significantly upgraded boards quality in terms of thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) (except boards with density of 0.63 g/cm3) after immersion in water for 24 h and residual swelling (RS) after reconditioning. The contribution of branch-wood (BW) particles in the production of FW boards with density of 0.63 g/cm3 induced increase of TS, WA, and RS while for boards with density of 0.69 g/cm3 did not result to significant changes except for RS. In terms of FC, boards made of BW and evergreen hardwood showed significantly lower FC compared to those produced by FW and industrial particles.