No abstract

The fundamental factors responsible for the complexities in adhesive bonding of preservativetreated wood are predominantly wood species, preservative composition, and adhesive system. It is post-effect of these factors that process variables such as assembly times and bonding pressure exert secondary influences on adhesive-bond development in preservative-treated laminates. Hence, this study investigated the effect of copper azole (CA) and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) impregnations on E. grandis heartwood (HW) and sapwood (SW) bonding with melamine-urea-formaldehyde and polyurethane adhesives. Based on the adhesives and bonding conditions investigated, the CA and DOTtreated E. grandis laminates do not satisfy at least one of the shear strength and delamination requirements according to EN 14080:2013. Contrary to delamination, shear strength was significantly affected by the HW-SW difference. This study established the basis for further considerations on adapting bonding conditions for improved adhesivebond performance in CA and DOT-treated E. grandis laminates towards manufacturing durable hardwood composite for tropical and subtropical environments.

Experiments on finger-jointing acetylated beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) laminated veneer lumber (LVL) have been made. The specimens were examined on its wet tensile shear strength (TSS) using three adhesives, including phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF), one-component polyurethane (PUR) (without primer), and melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF). Contact angles (CA) of uncured and drop-applied MUF, PRF, and PUR adhesives on freshly cut finger-joints were evaluated. Surface roughness was measured using a laser-scanning-microscope (LSM). Results showed that PRF bonded acetylated specimens had highest wet TSS, followed by specimens with PUR bonding. MUF performed poorly, which was most likely caused by its inadequate water resistance and changes in chemical reactions due to remaining acetic acid. Acetylated finger-joints had a topography similar to untreated joints. Moreover, CA were just barely lower for MUF and PRF on acetylated wood than on untreated references.

In this study, a specimen geometry for testing finger joints was developed using finite element simulation and proofed by experimental testing. Six different wood species and three adhesives were used for finger-jointing specimens. With the test specimen geometry, the bonding strength of the finger joints was determined without the usual self-locking of the joint. Under load, the test specimen geometry introduces maximum stress at the beginning of the bond line (adhesive zone). However, the test specimen geometry does not generate a symmetric stress state. The main difficulty here is the flank angle of the finger joint geometry. The wood species and adhesives significantly influenced the performance of the finger joints.

The prospect of manufacturing durable structural laminated wood with copper and boronbased preservative-impregnated Eucalyptus grandis wood was previously investigated but revealed adhesive-bond performance below standard requirements. In this study, bonding process factors, viz. mechanical pretreatment (surface planing) and bonding pressure in conjunction with wood preservative and adhesive compatibility for improved bond performance in preservative-treated E. grandis laminates were investigated. The results obtained showed significant and satisfactory improvement in shear strength and delamination resistance of E. grandis laminates based on EN 14080:2013 [Timber structures -Glued laminated timber and glued solid timber -Requirements, BSI Stand. Publ. (2014) 1-110] requirements. The suitability of polyurethane, melamine-urea-formaldehyde, and phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde adhesives for bonding copper azole (CA) and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT)-impregnated E. grandis wood was established. Satisfactory pathways, including greener process routes for manufacturing CA and DOT-impregnated E. grandis laminates for structural applications in tropical and subtropical climes were achieved. The established processes could be readily adopted industrially to enhance the global implementation of solid wood composites and promote hardwood bonding.