scholarly journals Hydrothermal Modification of Wood: A Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2612
Author(s):  
Md. Rowson Ali ◽  
Ummi Hani Abdullah ◽  
Zaidon Ashaari ◽  
Norul Hisham Hamid ◽  
Lee Seng Hua

Wood is a versatile material that is used for various purposes due to its good properties, such as its aesthetic properties, acoustic properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties, etc. Its poor dimensional stability and low natural durability are the main obstacles that limit its use in mechanical applications. Therefore, modification is needed to improve these properties. The hydrothermal modification of wood exposes wood samples to elevated temperatures and pressure levels by using steam, water, or a buffer solution as the treating medium, or by using superheated steam. Abundant studies regarding hydrothermally treated wood were carried out, but the negative effect on the wood’s strength is one of the limitations. This is a method that boosts the dimensional stability and improves the decay resistance of wood with minimal decrements of the strength properties. As an ecofriendly and cost-effective method, the hydrothermal modification of wood is also a promising alternative to conventional chemical techniques for treating wood. Researchers are attracted to the hydrothermal modification process because of its unique qualities in treating wood. There are many scientific articles on the hydrothermal modification of wood, and many aspects of hydrothermal modification are summarized in review papers in this field. This paper reviews the hydrothermally modified mechanical properties of wood and their potential applications. Furthermore, this article reviews the effects of hydrothermal modification on the various properties of wood, such as the dimensional stability, chemical properties, and durability against termites and fungi. The merits and demerits of hydrothermal wood modification, the effectiveness of using different media in hydrothermal modification, and its comparison with other treating techniques are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Lijuan Ping ◽  
Yubo Chai ◽  
Fangwen Zhang ◽  
Bailing Sun ◽  
Junliang Liu

In the study, we report that a safe and simple way for upgrading inferior rubber wood through the combined modification of environment-friendly MUG resin was synthesized from glyoxal, melamine, urea, and other additives. MUG-treated wood samples were prepared with six different MUG resin concentrations (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 wt %) into the wood matrix and then heated and polymerized to form a solid and hydrophobic MUG resin in the wood scaffold, and the physico-mechanical properties were evaluated. As the MUG resin concentration increased, the weight percent gain and density increased, water uptake and leachability decreased, and the antiswelling efficiency increased at first and then decreased. MUG-treated wood sample can be prepared when the MUG resin concentration was set as 25%, and the physical properties of treated wood was optimum. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed that the MUG resin is widely distributed in the cell lumens and cell walls. With enhanced physico-mechanical properties, MUG-treated wood sample can be well used as a promising alternative to existing engineered wood products for structural applications.


2009 ◽  
Vol 79-82 ◽  
pp. 1021-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Feng Li ◽  
Yi Xing Liu ◽  
Xiang Ming Wang ◽  
Xiu Rong Li

In order to improve the durability of marine wood against the long-term marine corrosion, the study explores to use two bifunctional reagents, maleic anhydride (Man) and glycidyl methacrylate(GMA), to react with wood by impregnating them into the porous structure of wood and further initiating them to polymerize with an initiator, AIBN, through a heat process. After the above modification, the durability of the marine wood treated with polymer was tested, and its mechanism was further analyzed as well. The testing results of the durability show that the acid resistance, the alkali resistance, the decay resistance against marine borers and the dimensional stability of the treated wood increases by 2.02 times, 12.39 times, 4.96 times and 3 times over untreated wood, respectively; and its Anti Swelling Efficiency (ASE) for dimensional stability reaches 53%, which almost equals the value of the wood treated by PEG-1500 under the same condition, while its leachability resistance is greatly higher than wood treated by PEG-1500. The analysis result with FTIR indicates that Man and GMA both react with wood, and Man reacts with the hydroxyl group of wood cell walls by its anhydride group, and GMA polymerizes in the porous structure of wood. The charactering result with SEM reveals that the resultant polymer fills in wood cell lumina as a solid form, which contacts tightly the wood cell walls without obvious gaps. The greatly reducing amount of hydroxyl groups after the reaction and the heavy jamming channels for water and marine borers approaching to wood cell walls both contribute to the improving durability of the modified wood.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajia Xu ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Yunfang Shen ◽  
Cong Li ◽  
Yanwei Wang ◽  
...  

Thermal modification (TM) is an ecological and low-cost pretreated method to improve the dimensional stability and decay resistance of wood. This study systematically investigates the relevance between the evolution of chemical structure and the physical and mechanical properties during wood thermal modification processes. Moreover, the volatility of compounds (VOCs) was analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TGA-FTIR) and a pyrolizer coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS). With an increase of TM temperature, the anti-shrink efficiency and contact angle increased, while the equilibrium moisture content decreased. This result indicates that the dimensional stability improved markedly due to the reduction of hydrophilic hydroxyl (–OH). However, a slight decrease of the moduli of elasticity and of rupture was observed after TM due to the thermal degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose. Based on a TGA-FTIR analysis, the small molecular gaseous components were composed of H2O, CH4, CO2, and CO, where H2O was the dominant component with the highest absorbance intensity, i.e., 0.008 at 200 °C. Based on the Py-GC/MS analysis, the VOCs were shown to be mainly composed of acids, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, furans, alcohols, sugars, and esters, where acids were the dominant compounds, with a relative content of 37.05−42.77%.


2011 ◽  
Vol 341-342 ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Bo Chai ◽  
Jun Liang Liu ◽  
Xing Zhen

In order to improve the dimensional stability, mechanical properties and fire resistance of the wood from Cryptomeria fortunei, the melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin and the mixture of MUF/boric acid/borax (MBB) were prepared and used as the wood modification solution. Results show that both the MUF resin and the MBB solutions exhibit good permeability to wood. Under the same treatment conditions, the weight percent gains (WPG) of treated wood increases with the increasing concentration of modification solutions. MUF and MBB modification solutions can effectively enhance the dimensional stability, MOR, MOE and fire resistance of wood. Compared with MBB treated wood, MUF treated wood exhibits higher MOR and dimensional stability. The MBB treated wood has higher MOE and fire resistance than MUF treated wood.


Holzforschung ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 793-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Dubey ◽  
Shusheng Pang ◽  
Shakti Chauhan ◽  
John Walker

Abstract The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) has been investigated after thermo-mechanically compression (TMC) followed by oil heat-treatment (OHT). Wood specimens were first compressed in the radial direction then heat-treated in a linseed oil bath at 160–210°C. Spring-back percentage, water repellence efficiencies, and compression set recovery percentage were determined as indicators of dimensional stability. The resistance of treated wood against a brown rot fungi was assessed based on an accelerated laboratory fungal decay test. Strength, stiffness and hardness were determined as a function of different treatment parameters. After TMC, high compression set (39%) was achieved without any surface checks and cracks. Specimens undergoing TMC followed by OHT showed relatively less swelling and low compression set recovery under high moisture conditions. The fungal resistance of wood after TMC+OHT slightly increased compared to untreated wood and TMC wood. The mechanical properties of TMC+OHT wood were inferior to those of TMC wood.


Holzforschung ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seng Hua Lee ◽  
Zaidon Ashaari ◽  
Wei Chen Lum ◽  
Aik Fei Ang ◽  
Juliana Abdul Halip ◽  
...  

AbstractThe chemical properties, dimensional stability, mechanical strength and termite resistance of urea formaldehyde (UF) bond rubberwood (RW) particleboard (PB) were assessed after a two-step oil heat treatment (OHT). The PB was immersed in palm oil before heating to 180, 200, and 220°C in a laboratory oven for 2 h. Anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) and water repellency efficiency (WRE) as well as bending (MOE, MOR) and internal bonding strength (IB) were determined. Resistance against a subterranean termite,Coptotermes curvignathusHolmgren, was tested. The degradation of hemicelluloses and cellulose, that are mainly responsible for wood wetting processes, was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Formation of an elevated cross-linking density in lignin also contributed to the dimensional stability, where 93.6% ASE and 46.3% WRE were achieved in the samples treated at 220°C. Mechanical properties of treated samples were inferior to the control samples due to hemicelluloses degradation and breakage of the UF bonding network. A significant improvement in termite resistance has been found in the treated samples.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87-88 ◽  
pp. 456-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Feng Li ◽  
Yi Xing Liu ◽  
Jiang Tao Shi ◽  
Gang Li

In order to prepare a wood-based composite material which, as a type of multifunctional and natural bio-based material, possesses satisfactory mechanical properties, excellent durability (i.e., decay resistance and dimensional stability), and Aenvironmental characteristic, the study presents a new method which is based on the cellular structure of wood by initiating polymerizable monomers for in situ polymerization. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as a multifunctional and polymerizable monomer was chosen, and impregnated into the porous structure of wood. After a thermal-catalyst process, the wood-based composite, PGMA/Wood, was prepared. The structure of this material was analyzed by SEM, FTIR and XRD; and its performance was also determined. The analyzing results show that GMA not only polymerized in the cellular structure in a solid form and amorphous form, which fully and uniformly filled in wood cell lumen, but also sufficiently grafted onto wood cell walls in a chemical level, resulting in tight contact between wood cell walls and resultant polymers (PGMA) without any obvious cracks. The test results of mechanical properties show that the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), compression strength, and hardness of PGMA/Wood increased by 82%, 122%, 139%, and 348% over those of untreated wood, respectively. The test results of durability show that the dimensional stability and decay resistance of PGMA/Wood improved 44% and 91% than those of untreated wood, respectively. Such composite could be widely applied in the fields of construction, furniture and traffic.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Jhon F. Herrera-Builes ◽  
Víctor Sepúlveda-Villarroel ◽  
Jairo A. Osorio ◽  
Linette Salvo-Sepúlveda ◽  
Rubén A. Ananías

This study deals with the effect of heat treatment on Pinus oocarpa specimens from forest plantations in Colombia. The effects of two heat treatments at 170 and 190 °C for 2.5 h in saturated vapor were evaluated based on the color, dimensional stability, air-dry and basic densities, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) in static bending of samples. The evaluations were carried out following the Colombian Technical Standards NTC 290 and 663, and the color changes resulting from heat treatments were monitored using the CIE-Lab, as well as other standards from the literature. The results show that there was 2.4% and 3.3% mass loss of wood modified at 170 and 190 °C, respectively. The air-dry and basic densities were higher in 170 °C treatment than after 190 °C treatment, and the thermal modifications applied increased the dimensional stability of the treated wood. After treatment at 170 and 190 °C, the lightness to darkness (L*) was reduced by 10% and 22%; the a* coordinate increased by 11% and 26%, causing redness in the treated wood; the b* coordinate increased by 14% and 17%; and the values of the wood color saturation (c*) increased by 14% and 18%, respectively. The general color change (ΔE*) increased gradually with the increase in the treatment temperature, resulting in a high color change to a very different color. The bending strength of thermally modified wood was improved and significantly increased to values higher than those of unmodified Pinus oocarpa wood. The high air-dry and basic densities, improved dimensional stability and resistance to bending, and attractive appearance of the treated wood indicate that thermal modification is a promising alternative for the transformation of Pinus oocarpa wood into a raw material with a high added value.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1114
Author(s):  
Bruno Esteves ◽  
Helena Ferreira ◽  
Hélder Viana ◽  
José Ferreira ◽  
Idalina Domingos ◽  
...  

The introduction of new species in forest management must be undertaken with a degree of care, to help prevent the spread of invasive species. However, new species with higher profitability are needed to increase forest products value and the resilience of rural populations. Paulownia tomentosa has an extremely fast growth. The objective and novelty of this work was to study the potential use of young Paulownia trees grown in Portugal by using heat treatment to improve its properties, thereby allowing higher value applications of the wood. The average chemical composition of untreated and heat-treated wood was determined. The extractive content was determined by successive Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane (DCM), ethanol and water as solvents. The composition of lipophilic extracts was performed by injection in GC-MS with mass detection. Insoluble and soluble lignin, holocellulose and α-cellulose were also determined. Physical (density and water absorption and dimensional stability) and mechanical properties (bending strength and bending stiffness) and termite resistance was also determined. Results showed that extractive content increased in all solvents, lignin and α-cellulose also increased and hemicelluloses decreased. Compounds derived from the thermal degradation of lignin were found in heat-treated wood extractions. Dimensional stability improved but there was a decrease in mechanical properties. Resistance against termites was better for untreated wood than for heat-treated wood, possibly due to the thermal degradation of some toxic extractives.


Wood Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-568
Author(s):  
JIAPENG WANG ◽  
ZHENJU BI ◽  
ZHANGJING CHEN ◽  
LI YAN ◽  
YAFANG LEI

The cinnamaldehyde, salicylic acid, stearolic acid and citric acid were plant-derived organic compounds that can be activated to fungi, that could degrade the wood in long term. The compounds with concentrations of 3%, 5% and 7% assisted by different dispersants were impregnated into poplar (Populus nigra L.) specimens by the vacuum-pressure method. After that, weight percentage gain (WPG), decay resistance against white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum), color change, dimensional stability and mechanical properties including modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured. The results indicated that cinnamaldehyde impregnated poplar showed antifungi activity against both G. trabeumand T. versicolor, and citric acid impregnated poplar showed antifungi activity against G. trabeum. The color of poplar specimens before and after impregnated cinnamaldehyde and citric acid had a little change, dimensional stability had been improved and mechanical properties especially for MOR increased significantly.


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