George I. Mantanis

Swelling of wood. Part II. Swelling in organic liquids

The rate and maximum swelling of several North American wood species in 40 organic liquids have been obtained with a computer interfaced linear variable displacement transformer. Since wood swells very fast in some organic liquids, even at room temperature, this apparatus made it possible to obtain accurate rate data on the swelling of wood in organic liquids. It was found that many similarities existed between wood and cellulose maximum swelling within various solvent chemical classes. Hence, it appears that cellulose is the primary wood polymer responsible for the major amount of swelling of wood (...)

Swelling of wood

SummaryThe rate and maximum swelling of several North American wood species in water have been obtained with a computer interfaced linear variable displacement transformer. Since wood swells extremely fast in water even at room temperature, this apparatus made it possible for the first time, to obtain accurate rate data on the swelling of wood in water. The strict linear dependence of swelling on the temperature suggests a chemical mechanism. The activation energies obtained from Arrhenius plots ranged from 32.2 KJ/mole for sitka spruce to 47.6 KJ/mole for sugar maple. Although the two hardwoods exhibited greater maximum tangential swelling compared with the two softwoods, the maximum swelling appears to be correlated with the wood density. Generally both the rate and maximum swelling of the woods were increased by removal of extractives and the activation energies were reduced.

Swelling of compressed cellulose fiber webs in organic liquids

Maximum liquid-holding capacities of various compressed fibers in water and in a series of various organic liquids have been investigated. The maximum liquid-holding capacity versus bulk density relationships gave polynomial curves, generally with a peak. Good relative correlations for cellulose, compressed fiber pellets and wood were found for the series of liquids tested. In general, liquids that swelled wood to a low to medium range (up to 6%) did not swell appreciablyα-cellulose and sulfite pulp, while good to excellent wood-swelling agents swelled all the fibers very significantly. It was also found that the hydrogen-bonding parameter of the swelling liquid was the most important factor. The swelling rate of various compressed fiber systems in organic liquids was dramatically increased by raising the temperature. Activation energies and molar volume of the swelling liquid were linearly correlated.

Wetting of wood

SummaryThermodynamic work of adhesion, contact angle, wettability and acid-base contributions of the wetting of four North American wood species were determined using the Wilhelmy technique. The wetting angles with water varied from 60° for Sitka spruce to 74° for Douglas-fir. The wood surfaces had a strong acidic character since the greatest interactions for all the wood species occurred with formamide (basic probe) while lesser interactions were obtained with ethylene glycol (acidic probe). In addition, dispersive and polar surface free energies of wood, γds and γps respectively, were determined using Wus simultaneous equations. In general, 75 to 80% of the total surface free energy of wood was due to dispersion forces. Specific wettabilities of wood and advancing contact angles in thirty various organic liquids were also evaluated.

Swelling of wood. Part III. Effect of temperature and extractives on rate and maximum swelling

Summary Wood swelling Rate of wood swelling The swelling of wood in organic liquids at elevated temperatures has been investigated with the use of Activation energy of wood a computerized linear variable displacement transformer (LVDT). Wood swelled extremely fast at high swelling temperatures. The rate of wood swelling in organic liquids showed a strong dependence on temperature Arrhenius equation which closely obeyed the classical Arrhenius equation. This strict linear dependence of wood swelling

The sorption of water vapour of wood treated with a nanotechnology compound

The potential of improving the hygroscopicity of solid wood by applying a new nanotechnology compound was investigated. The sorption isotherms were analysed using the Hailwood–Horrobin model. The experimental analysis of the sorption isotherms showed that the treatment affected total, polymolecular and monomolecular sorption. The application of the compound reduced the total sorption by 26.5%, polymolecular sorption by 23.9% and monomolecular sorption by 33.1% at saturation.

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.

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.

Reducing the thickness swelling of wood based panels by applying a nanotechnology compound

SubjectThe potential of improving the thickness swelling of commercial wood based panels by applying a new nanotechnology compound was investigated. The application of the compound SurfaPore™ W, an aqueous wood-water repellent resulted in a significant improvement in the thickness swelling of the panels tested.

Adhesive systems used in the European particleboard, MDF and OSB industries*

ABSTRACT In this work, the adhesive systems used today in the European industries of particleboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB) are discussed. The structure of particleboard, MDF and OSB markets in Europe in relation to the types of adhesives and product specifications are presented as well. It is noticeable that new markets for wood-based panels like particleboard and fibreboard, known as non-furniture markets, are growing in Europe at a fast rate. It was concluded that most of the technological changes concerning the adhesive systems applied and additives have been realised from the need for niche panel products, the obligation to reach even lower formaldehyde emissions, and the necessity to decrease production costs due to the stringent competition in the market of wood-based panels.