Analysing density profile characteristics of surface densified solid wood using computational approach

Abstract

In this study, solid Scots pine was surface densified in an open press using different moisture contents (9·6 and 12·4%), temperatures (150 and 200°C), press closing times (0·5 and 5 min), holding times (1 and 10 min) and compression ratios (6·7 and 25%). The characteristics of the formed density profiles were defined and their correlations to the process parameters and Brinell hardness and elastic recovery were analysed. Compression ratio and closing time had the strongest effect on the formation of the density profile, as well as the hardness and elastic recovery. The amount of localised deformation (peak area) did not have significant effect on the Brinell hardness or elastic recovery, whereas, the highest density achieved (peak density) and its location (peak distance) dominated the effect. Brinell hardness and elastic recovery were found to correlate well with each other.

Keywords:

• Densification
• Density profile
• Hardness
• Elastic recovery
• Scots pine

The researchers would like to acknowledge Mr Nick Laflin of the BioComposites Centre, Bangor University, UK and Miss Cara Leitch for technical support in this study.

Notes

This paper is part of a special issue on the Sixth European Conference on Wood Modification