The effect of thermo-hydro treatment (THT) on the properties of birch (Betula spp.) wood veneers has been studied. THT was carried out in a multi-functional pilot scale wood modification device of wood treatment technology (WTT, Latvia) under elevated water vapor pressure conditions at four combinations of temperature and treatment time (°C/min): 150/10; 150/50; 160/10 and 160/50. After THT, the following veneer properties were examined: mass loss (ML), chemical composition, bending strength (BS), tensile strength (TS), equilibrium moisture content (EMC), resistance to decay by mould and blue stain fungi, and surface contact angle (CA). The chemical components were changed by THT. Increased THT temperature and time resulted in hydrophobization of veneers as indicated by decreasing EMC and increasing CA data. All THT were effective against wood discoloring fungi, although insufficient decay resistance was observed. The mechanical strength properties of THT veneers were also deteriorated.
Thermo-hydro treatment (THT) of plywood produced from birch (Betula spp.) wood veneers was carried out in a multi-functional pilot device manufactured by WTT (Wood Treatment Technology). The treatment was conducted in elevated water vapour pressure conditions using four different treatment regimes: 150/10, 150/50, 160/10 and 160/50 (temperature, °C/duration, min). After the treatment, the THT plywood was subjected to the following tests: biological durability, anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), bending strength (BS), Brinell hardness (HB), equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and surface contact angle determination. THT improved most of the properties of the plywood. With increasing treatment severity, the dimensional stability and the resistance to white and brown rot fungi of THT plywood were improved. The EMC of THT plywood was lower than the untreated controls, and the surface became more hydrophobic. As a drawback, losses of BS and hardness were observed.
Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB)-based thermal insulation materials available in the market are more expensive than conventional ones and consist mainly of wood or agricultural bast fibers which are primarily used in construction and textile industries. Therefore, it is crucial to develop LCB-based thermal insulation materials from cheap and available raw materials. The study investigates new thermal insulation materials from locally available residues of annual plants like wheat straw, reeds and corn stalks. The treatment of raw materials was performed by mechanical crushing and defibration by steam explosion process. Optimization of thermal conductivity of the obtained loose-fill thermal insulation materials was investigated at different bulk density levels (30–45–60–75–90 kg m−3). The obtained thermal conductivity varies in range of 0.0401–0.0538 W m−1 K−1 depending on raw material, treatment mode and a target density. The changes of thermal conductivity depending on density were described by the second order polynomial models. In most cases, the optimal thermal conductivity was revealed for the materials with the density of 60 kg m−3. The obtained results suggest the adjustment of density to achieve an optimal thermal conductivity of LCB-based thermal insulation materials. The study also approves the suitability of used annual plants for further investigation towards sustainable LCB-based thermal insulation materials.
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