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Thermal modification is the most important commercial modification procedure. Thermally modified (TM) wood has improved durability, but its performance does not meet expectations predominately under moist conditions. To reduce water uptake of TM wood, Norway spruce specimens were treated with suspensions of a natural wax by dipping impregnation (DipI) or by vacuum-pressure impregnation (VPI). Wax-treated specimens were subsequently TM at 185, 200, 215, and 230°C. Control specimens were heated up to 100°C only. Contact angle (CA), short-term and long-term water uptake, bending strength, and performance against wood decay fungi of the resulting material were determined. The results show that a combination of wax treatment and thermal modification have a synergistic effect that considerably improves hydrophobicity, reduces liquid water uptake, slows down water vapor uptake, and improves the resistance against fungal decay of the treated material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To upgrade the utilization of kraft lignin (KL) for high-performance lignin-based materials (e.g., carbon fiber), the purity, molecular mass distribution (MMD), and thermal properties need to be improved and adjusted to target values. Therefore, different methods, such as ultrasonic extraction (UE), solvent extraction, dialysis, and hot water treatment (HWT), were applied for the purification of KL. The chemical and thermal properties of purified lignin have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, gel permeation chromatography, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The lignin fractions obtained by UE with ethanol/acetone (E/A) mixture (9:1) revealed a very narrow MMD and were nearly free of inorganic compounds and carbohydrates. Further, the E/A-extracted lignin showed a lower glass transition temperature ( Tg) and a clearly detectable melting temperature ( Tm). Dialysis followed by HWT at 220°C is an efficient method for the removal of inorganics and carbohydrates; however, lignin was partly forming condensed structures during the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to enhance the water repellency and dimensional stability of thermally modified wood by combining the preimpregnation of paraffin wax emulsion. To achieve this, Southern pine (SP; Pinus spp.) samples were first impregnated with paraffin wax emulsion (with 2.0% solid content) and then subjected to thermal modification (TM) in an oven at 180°C and 220°C for 4 and 8 h. The contact angle (CA), surface free energy, water absorption rate (WAR), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and bending properties of the control and modified samples were investigated. Moreover, the chemical and morphological alterations were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Both the wax impregnation and TM decreased the surface wettability, water absorption, and tangential swelling, while the combination of wax and thermal treatment exhibited the best water repellency and dimensional stability, indicating the synergism between the two procedures. However, the wax preimpregnation did not affect the mechanical properties of thermally modified wood. The FTIR, SEM, and XPS analyses confirmed that the synergistic effect is mainly due to the redistribution of the paraffin wax during TM rather than its impact on the chemical changes caused by thermal degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites have been prepared with polypropylene (PP) as a matrix and pine flours, either thermally treated (Wtr) or not (W), as fillers resulting in wood plastic composites (WPCs). The treatment by retification at 280° mainly elevates the hydrophobicity of wood. The WPCs were fabricated with a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with the screw speeds of 500 and 1200 rpm and specimens were prepared by injection molding. Viscoelastic behavior, tensile test and Charpy impact test of Wtr PC were compared with PP and WPC. Wtr PC has a better dispersion and highest tensile modulus. As expected, a decrease in elongation at break and impact strength was observed for all composites. Processing at 1200 rpm improved by 60% the Young modulus of the WPC compared to 500 rpm, whereas 500 rpm was enough to obtain the highest modulus for Wtr PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical analysis of temperature profiles during thermal modification of wood was carried out. The numerical solution - based on finite element analysis, FEA - of the 3D problem of transient nonlinear heat transfer model is presented for wood as a typical anisotropic material. The numerical model was enhanced for describing chemical reactions of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin (pyrolysis model), which takes into account the exothermic reactions as an internal source of heat energy. Experimental as well as theoretical process schedules were applied and the influence of sample dimensions (sample geometry) and wood species was studied. The influence of wood species was negligible on heating time to reach the highest temperature, i.e., the temperature differences were about 2°C during the drying phase. A expected, the sample size played an important role in the heating duration and in terms of the exothermic reactions of wood. The experimental and numerical data are generally in good agreement. The numerical error increased in the range of higher temperatures. The results can be improved by consideration of wood species (mass of wood compounds) and boundary conditions in the pyrolysis model, thus, better insight into details of thermal modification of wood could be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal expansion behavior of dry solid wood was investigated by dynamic dilatometry and thermal mechanical analysis. Anomalous thermal expansion behavior was observed concerning the displacement change under a constant compression pressure, which was not previously reported. Wood submitted to temperatures below 0°C under dry conditions exhibited a large increment in the linear thermal expansion coefficient (CLTE) and a sudden drop in the CLTE around 50°C as well as above 130°C during heating. In subsequent cooling/heating processes, these anomalous behaviors remained at temperatures below 100°C, although less pronounced, and disappeared at temperatures above 100°C. These behaviors were clearly perceptible in the radial and tangential directions but not in the longitudinal direction. The CLTE depended strongly on the heat and moisture history of the samples and the effects are species-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically or physically modified wood materials have enhanced resistance to wood decay fungi. In contrast to treatments with traditional wood preservatives, where the resistance is caused mainly by the toxicity of the chemicals added, little is known about the mode of action of nontoxic wood modification methods. This study reviews established theories related to resistance in acetylated, furfurylated, dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea-treated, and thermally modified wood. The main conclusion is that only one theory provides a consistent explanation for the initial inhibition of brown rot degradation in modified wood, that is, moisture exclusion via the reduction of cell wall voids. Other proposed mechanisms, such as enzyme nonrecognition, micropore blocking, and reducing the number of free hydroxyl groups, may reduce the degradation rate when cell wall water uptake is no longer impeded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for their potential as reagents for enhancing the fire resistance of wood. The following ILs were in focus: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C2mim][PF6]). Supposedly, these ILs do not dissolve or degrade wood components to a large extent. No morphologic changes were observed in any ILtreated wood samples, but they showed an enhanced fire resistance compared with that of untreated wood. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis demonstrated that the ILs are penetrated into the cell walls. The wood treated with [C2mim][PF6] exhibited the highest fire resistance based on thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyzer studies: it was more resistant against flaming at approximately 350°C and the subsequent glowing at higher temperatures. This enhanced fire resistance was interpreted by dehydration in the presence of the ILs under observation. In general, ILs are promising reagents for improving the thermal properties of wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal properties of wood in the green state have been determined by the transient plane source (TPS) technique. Data are presented on thermal conductivity ( λ), heat capacity ( C), and thermal diffusivity ( κ) at moisture contents (MCs) above the fiber saturation point, which are based on measurements using the HotDisk® apparatus. Four wood species (Douglas fir, beech, birch, and spruce) were tested, and the results are compared with literature data and those obtained by the flash method. A linear relationship was found between the thermal properties λ, C, and κ on the one hand and MC on the other. Equations predicting the thermal values as a function of MC and wood anisotropy are presented. Wood C and λ increase with MC, but wet wood diffuses heat more rapidly than dry wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-dependent mechanical behaviour (TDMB) of wood is important when using the material for structural purposes. Recently, a new method for predicting the TDMB by numerical modelling was established based on the assumption that TDMB is caused by the sliding of the microfibrils past each other. In this study, the TDMB is examined via creep experiments on small specimens of Norway spruce latewood. The results of these are compared with results from numerical modelling. The experiments include results at two levels of moisture content and three levels of temperature, enabling an investigation of these two climatic factors on TDMB of wood. It was found that the mechanical response of wood tissue is the sum of responses from both tracheids and middle lamella, with only the previous being reversible. The effect of moisture and temperature differed in that the latter affected the elastic and time-dependent responses equally. Moisture, on the other hand, reduced both the elastic properties and the activation energy barrier for sliding of the microfibrils, but furthermore changed the microfibril angle of the sample as a result of swelling. Hereby, moisture had a larger effect on the time-dependent response than the elastic. All of these effects were predicted by numerical modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this work was to study the chemical composition of surfaces and ageing effects on acetylated pine ( Pinus sylvestris), heat treated spruce ( Picea abies), and furfurylated radiata pine ( Pinus radiata) in comparison to unmodified wood. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) were the instruments of choice. Observation with a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope (LV-SEM) complemented the study. The spectroscopic information was also linked to a parallel wettability study on matched wood samples by the Wilhelmy method. The results show that XPS and ToF-SIMS are two powerful tools that in combination give complementary information, both quantitative and qualitative, and are well suited for observation of the ageing process of different wood surfaces. The hydrophobization process as a result of migration of extractives during ageing was well quantified by the XPS measurements and the results correlated well with wetting results. Several specific hydrophobic substances could be identified by ToF-SIMS measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal treatments of wood ( Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus excelsior) were examined. The temperature load on wood causes characteristic changes in the chemical composition, which were determined by means of several defined methods. The results confirm that in addition to the degradation of polyoses lignin, known as the thermally most stable compound, also shows significant thermal alterations. In addition, mechanical properties of the specimens were examined in order to correlate these results with the effects of chemical changes of thermally treated wood. It was shown, e.g., that the decomposition of the polyoses can affect the strength properties both positively and negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a biodegradable polymer from the polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolyester class, was filled with 20% beech wood flour (WF) to form completely biodegradable films. In the present study, the influence of surface modification of wood flour was investigated on the interfacial adhesion of PHB/WF composites. In addition to a hydrothermal pretreatment, sodium hydroxide and stearic acid were used as surface modifiers. Direct measurement of interfacial adhesion was carried out by mechanical testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. Thermal properties, degree of crystallinity of PHB/WF composites were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Effects of sodium hydroxide and stearic acid treatment on the adhesion of PHB/WF interface were feeble when no hydrothermal pretreatment was applied. Nevertheless, surface modifiers applied on hydrothermally pretreated WF significantly improved the WF/PHB interface adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A softwood thermomechanical pulp (TMP) was suspended in water and oxidized with sodium hypochlorite and catalytic amounts of sodium bromide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) at pH 10. When the NaClO addition levels were 20–26 mmol g-1 of the TMP, the yields of water-insoluble TEMPO-oxidized TMPs fractions were approximately 40%. Sugar composition and other analyses revealed that most of the lignin and hemicellulose components in the TMP were removed as water-soluble fractions by the oxidation. Thus, almost pure TEMPO-oxidized celluloses can also be prepared from TMP, although the addition levels of NaClO are much higher than for the TEMPO-mediated oxidation of pure celluloses. The water-soluble fractions were analyzed by NMR, showing that polyuronic acids formed from glucomannan and cellulose by oxidation were the main compounds. The water-insoluble fractions of TEMPO-oxidized TMPs prepared with NaClO of 20–26 mmol g-1 had carboxylate contents of approximately 1.2 mmol g-1, and had the same cellulose I allomorph and the same crystal widths as in the original TMP. Transparent and highly viscous gels were obtained by disintegration of these TEMPO-oxidized TMPs in water, and the gels consisted of individual nanofibers 4–6 nm in width. Thus, TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers can also be prepared from TMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood-based composites, such as oriented strand board, are typically manufactured by consolidating mats of resinated wood elements under heat and pressure. During this process, the temperature and moisture content distributions within the mat greatly affect the properties of end products. To improve the fundamental understanding of mat consolidation during hot-pressing, a model is established to investigate the transverse compression behavior of aspen wood strands for a variety of combinations of temperatures (20–200°C) and moisture contents (0–15%). A regression approach is used to obtain the modulus-temperature-moisture relationship. In addition, elevated temperatures and moistures are found to influence the strain function of wood strands, which was previously assumed to be independent of these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThermal modification is a well established method to improve the dimensional stability and the durability for outdoor use of wood. Unfortunately, these improvements are usually accompanied with a deterioration of mechanical performance (e.g., reduced strength or higher brittleness). In contrast, our investigations of the hardness properties in the longitudinal direction of beech wood revealed a significant improvement with thermal modification. Furthermore, we applied instrumented indentation tests on different hierarchical levels of wood structure (growth ring and cell wall level) to gain closer insights on the mechanisms of thermal treatment of wood on mechanical properties. This approach provides a variety of mechanical data (e.g., elastic parameters, hardness parameters, and viscoelastic properties) from one single experiment. Investigations on the influence of thermal treatment on the mechanical properties of beech revealed similar trends on the growth ring as well as the on the cell wall level of the wood structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractColour evolution and colour changes were analysed from surface images of small specimens of three thermally-modified timber species using the CIEL*a*b*colour space. Upon heat exposure, the wood substance became orange and then approached grey irrespective of species; this was accompanied by a steady reduction in lightness. Colour changes were similar in the three woods at any given level of heat-induced weight loss (WL), whilst changes in the three coordinates of the CIEL*a*b*space in function of WL were different regardless of the wood species. For ΔL*, the profile was curvilinear and monotonous, while Δa* and Δb* bear a complex, non-linear profile. In turn, ΔE* was found to be highly influenced by the behaviour of ΔL*. It is proposed that ΔE* in thermally modified wood originates from chemical changes in the main wood polymers, more so in lignin than in polysaccharides, due to the darkening of the lignin itself. This was associated with the generation of chromophoric groups, mainly the increase in carbonyl groups appearing in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of lignin between 1710 and 1600 cm-1, particularly the emergence of quinone species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper describes the hydrothermal treatment (HT) treatment of a mixture of samples treated with three wood preservatives. During HT treatment, creosote-derived hydrocarbon (HC) residues were recovered in the decommissioned treated wood and the wood mass itself was transformed with 95% yield into a mixture of HCs, including substituted benzenes, phenolics and light polyaromatic HCs (PAHs). The metals from the CCA-treated wood were partially recovered (up to 48–88%) either in an acidified AQ phase or as a coating on the internal walls of the reactor. Some arsenic was probably transformed to arsine gas, which could be trapped and recovered under basic conditions. Pentachlorophenol was dechlorinated and removed to below detection limits. The HT process also resulted in the generation of industrially useful mixed HCs with substantial reduction in substrate mass. Thus, the preservative-treated wood as a hazardous waste was transformed into a complimentary mixture of liquid products. Creosote and CCA were recovered, and penta was degraded. It is important to note that this work was performed in large reactors, which were heated with hot air in a muffle furnace. Hence, the incubation time was long. Our current work with small reactors heated instantaneously in tin baths to 400°C has confirmed that HT reactions occur in the order of seconds to minutes. Future publications will address kinetic and mechanistic aspects of these reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]