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Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2021) | Viewed by 14009

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Vlastimil Borůvka

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Guest Editor

Department of Wood Processing and Biomaterials, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: wood characterisation; wood structure and properties (mechanical testing, physical testing); wood modification; wood quality; wood-based materials (generally lignocellulosic materials, primarily wood-fiber boards-manufacturing process, development and properties); creep of wood and wood based materials; wood processing; recycling technologies; impact of silvicultural measures; wood (forest) sustainability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The continual development of research methods opens up completely new possibilities for improving knowledge about the properties of wood and wood-based materials, or comprehensively speaking of lignocellulosic (LC) materials. At the same time, new wood processing technologies have caused changes in the structure of materials, and therefore their properties have also changed. At the present time, the problematics of efficient processing and use of less valuable wood species or biologically damaged logs, recycled wooden products and other LC raw materials in the production of wood composites is also coming to the foreground. Wood composites are usually produced for specific applications with predefined required parameters. Thus, we now face the task of characterizing not only the structure but also the properties of these materials.

Knowledge of the properties of wood and its parameters is essential both for more efficient processing of materials and for better quality production of wood products and materials based on it. The aim of this special edition is to provide the latest basic knowledge about the properties of wood and materials based on it, eventually their structure (construction).

We welcome contributions presenting the results of top and especially "reliable" research in the field of wood, especially works using advanced research methods and presenting new approaches to the characterization of materials. However, we do not underestimate the standard methods used so far, because the primary goal is to expand the database of data on the properties of LC materials, including commercial properties. By "reliability" is meant sufficient statistical significance, validity and reproducibility of data. Reliable data are also important in modelling (simulations) the behaviour of materials when they are exposed to various influences, either mechanical loading, climate changes, etc.

Data (contributions) on wood and wood materials from the countries of Central Europe are primarily welcome, which is especially true for "native" wood (solid wood without treatment) data, but we do not hereby discourage authors from any country.

We plan to publish quality articles presenting research into the properties of wood and wood-based materials, eventually structures of new LC materials.

Dr. Vlastimil Borůvka

Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

wood and wood composites
characterization of lignocellulosic biomaterials
physical and mechanical characteristics
technological and commercial properties
modeling and simulation

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Properties of Plywood Made from Perforated Veneers

by Jozef Fekiač, Jozef Gáborík and Marek Vojtkuliak

Forests 2021, 12(12), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121709 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2408

Abstract

The paper is focused on the bending properties of beech plywood made from veneers with perforations. The modification of the plywood was done by the targeted perforations in veneers used. The perforations were rectangular in shape 5 × 30 mm. There was a gap of 10 mm between the perforations (in each direction) and the perforations in the individual rows were shifted by 10 mm relative to each other. Two structures of lightweight plywood were investigated: sheathed (lightweight type 1) with perforated inner layers sheathed with solid veneer and perforated (lightweight type 2) with perforations in each layer. Bending properties were evaluated by three-point bend testing. The results showed decreased bending strength (MOR) as well as decreased modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE) with reduction of weight. Bending strength (MOR) was reduced by 33 to 57% and modulus of elasticity (MOE) by 13 to 43% compared to standard (non-lightweight) plywood. Bendability of lightweight plywood expressed by the minimum bending radius (R_min) and the coefficient of bendability (k_oh) point to a slight decrease in bendability by 1 to 35% compared to standard (non-lightweight) plywood. The benefit of the proposed plywood lightweight constructions is weight reduction by 16.5 to 24.4%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data)

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9 pages, 3184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Storage Conditions on Shear Strength of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.)

by Peter Vilkovský, Tatiana Vilkovská, Ivan Klement and Igor Čunderlík

Forests 2021, 12(8), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081025 - 31 Jul 2021

Viewed by 1513

Abstract

The structure of a bark as a component of a living tree is completely different from wood. Different structures significantly influence the physical and mechanical properties of the bark. In the processing of logs, it is in most cases necessary to separate the bark from the wood. Problems can arise mainly in the pulp and paper industry. The research focused on the impact of storage conditions on shear strength, showing that the value of shear strength decreased remarkably due to the storage. A decrease in strength can mainly be explained by the changes in the moisture content of bark, remarkably affected by the surrounding environment (climate). The research showed that three months of storage seemed to be the most appropriate and effective period for removing the bark in the case of beech logs and that a storage time of up to five months was the best in the case of oak logs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data)

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16 pages, 7336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bending Stiffness of Hybrid Wood-Metal Composite Beams: An Experimentally Validated Numerical Model

by Gorazd Fajdiga, Barbara Šubic and Aljaž Kovačič

Forests 2021, 12(7), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070918 - 14 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1906

Abstract

This paper presents an experimentally validated model for the computational analysis of metal-reinforced wooden composites. The model can be used in both research and in industry to effectively estimate how much a certain composite design improves the bending stiffness and strength of a hybrid metal-reinforced wooden component. A model based on computer simulations allows the prediction and analysis of the mechanical behaviour of a hybrid composite material consisting of several interconnected components made of different base materials. The model for different boundary conditions and parameters provides the correct data on stiffness, especially bending, and the associated maximum displacements. It allows for a variation of the mechanical and geometrical properties, and makes it possible to observe the initiation of irreversible change in the window-frame member. The model enables parametrical simulations to find the optimum layout of reinforcements in the window-frame member, as well as to make estimations of the maximum performance of certain designs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data)

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8 pages, 1897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Specific Gravity of Inner and Outer Larch Bark

by Günther Kain, Marco Morandini, Marius-Catalin Barbu, Alexander Petutschnigg and Jan Tippner

Forests 2020, 11(11), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11111132 - 25 Oct 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2216

Abstract

Larch bark is an interesting resource for the production of insulation panels. As it consists of a sugar-rich inner bark and an outer bark containing more durable components, there is the requirement to separate these compartments. Additionally, bark is often mixed with wooden pieces after industrial debarking processes. In this study, the wet density, dry density, and specific gravity of wood, whole bark, and inner and outer bark are investigated using the pycnometer method, which has been proven to be adequate for the volume measurement of irregularly shaped, light objects such as bark flakes. Soaked with water, the density of the inner bark is highest, followed by wood, and the lightest is the outer bark. Because of different moisture contents, the wet density is not directly comparable. The outer bark sucked up less water than the inner bark. Focusing on the specific gravity, the wood is the heaviest, followed by the outer bark and the inner bark. The differences are significant for both methods, displaying a promising physical basis for separation methods based on density differences. These might be a means to pick out more durable and less hygroscopic outer bark particles from a bark mixture in order to produce optimized bark composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data)

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Review

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11 pages, 2986 KiB

Open AccessReview

What Happens to Wood after a Tree Is Attacked by a Bark Beetle?

by Štěpán Hýsek, Radim Löwe and Marek Turčáni

Forests 2021, 12(9), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12091163 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4800

Abstract

Advancing climate change is affecting the health and vitality of forests in many parts of the world. Europe is currently facing spruce bark beetle outbreaks, which are most often caused by wind disturbances, hot summers, or lack of rainfall and are having a massive economic impact on the forestry sector. The aim of this research article was to summarize current scientific knowledge about the structure and physical and mechanical properties of wood from bark beetle-attacked trees. Spruce stands are attacked by a number of beetles, of which Ips typographus is the most common and widespread in Central Europe. When attacking a tree, bark beetles introduce ophiostomatoid fungi into the tree, which then have a greater effect on the properties of the wood than the beetles themselves. Fungal hyphae grow through the lumina of wood cells and spread between individual cells through pits. Both white rot and brown rot fungi are associated with enzymatic degradation of lignin or holocellulose, which is subsequently reflected in the change of the physical and mechanical properties of wood. Wood-decay fungi that colonize wood after infestation of a tree with bark beetles can cause significant changes in the structure and properties of the wood, and these changes are predominantly negative, in the form of reducing modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, discolouration, or, over time, weight loss. In certain specific examples, a reduction in energy consumption for the production of wood particles from beetle-attacked trees, or an increase in surface free energy due to wood infestation by staining fungi in order to achieve better adhesion of paints or glues, can be evaluated positively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties of Wood and Wood-Based Materials: Expanding of the Database by Reliable Data)

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