The effect of blue stain on shear strength of cold-set polyurethane resin (PUR) bonds was investigated using lodgepole pine lumber with varying degrees of stain and two different wood grain orientations. While blue stain was associated with definite differences in wood permeability, it had no...

Cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu₂O NPs), phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin, and stearic acid (STA) were used to fabricate hierarchical core/shell structures to endow wood with superhydrophobic function, in which the preparation of Cu₂O NPs and the synthesis of PF were carried out simultaneously in one...

The effects of borate and glycerol impregnation of Douglas-fir heartwood prior to open-air oven thermal modification at 160-200°C for 2-4 h on wood color were measured. These materials were used to analyze the effects of modifying agents on thermal decomposition of wood by color nondestructive...

The effects of incorporation of nano-CuO into phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin during synthesis on curing kinetics, nano-CuO structure and bond quality were investigated on orientated strand board (OSB). Apparent activation energy of the PF resins modified with CuO was decreased during the reaction...

Many wood species are resistant to penetration of liquids. Impermeability can affect a variety of properties including the ability to deliver preservatives, adhesive bonding, and coating applications. Developing methods for altering this characteristic could help in utilization of impermeable...

The potential for using pectinase as a pre-treatment to improve the properties of bamboo or eucalyptus fibers for use in a woody fiber/polypropylene (PP) composite was compared with the addition of a silane coupling agent or NaOH pre-treatment. Pectinase pre-treatment reduced the amount of pectin...

While wood has numerous attributes that make it an excellent material for many uses, its properties can also vary widely according to wood species and even within the same species. Wood used in structural applications is categorized into classes. For many wood products, these classes or grades are...

Slash pine specimens were thermally modified at 120 and 160°C in linseed oil for 2 and 6 h to determine the effects on water repellency and the impact on mechanical properties of nailed connections. Thermal modification improved water repellency. Results suggested the improvements were due to...

There are relatively few long-term studies of wood plastic composite (WPC) performance, especially under harsh sub-tropical conditions. This study examined changes in wood/polymer composition, surface chemistry, and thermal properties of WPC decking with and without a co-extruded cap layer after...

Superhydrophobic wood surfaces had been fabricated via in-situ synthesis of Cu₂(OH)₃Cl nano-flowers. The modified wood surface exhibited improved water repellency as evidenced by an increased water contact angle (163° vs 50 to 75° for the control) and a sliding angle less than 5°. The modified wood ...