This research deals with the quantitative and qualitative analysis of extractives of the species Pinus pine L. Samples were collected not only from the wood (separately heartwood and sapwood), but from the bark, needles and branches as well. Extractions were carried out with a Soxhlet device and three different solvents (water, ethanol, dichloromethane). Chemical analyses were conducted with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results revealed significant amounts of the chemical compounds, such as Dlimonene, myrtanol, phytol, megastigmatrienone, caryophyllene etc, found in the specimens, which have multiple applications in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
A manufacturing system involves several production steps with inputs and outputs of material flow at different stages all over value stream. This work presents a method to estimate the fabrication costs of 3mm larch bark based coatings for floorings. The article describes an empirical study involving all the production steps required to manufacture a composite board based on wood biomass that can substitute a cork coating for tiling. For a small production capacity and a medium density level of 600kg/m3, the findings indicate that the total costs can vary from 10.6 to 13.4 €/m2. These prices are 13 to 25% higher compared to the value of classical cork coatings, but is also the difference between small to large production capacity.
This study investigated the potential of bamboo strips as a partial substitute for wood products in furniture manufacture. Five matured Bambusa vulgaris culms (4 years old) were harvested from a natural stand. On harvest, the inter-nodal length, wall thickness and outer diameter of the green culms were measured. The culms were then cut into 4.5m lengths, separated into top, middle and bottom portions. The percentage strip recovery was determined. The bottom and middle portions only were selected and air-dried for six weeks followed by one-week sun-drying. The strips were then treated with borax and boric acid at concentrations of 0%, 5% and 8%. A set of the 500mm (l) x 30mm (b) x 7.9mm (d) treated strips were used as slabs, a set of 800mm (l) x 80mm (b) x 20mm (d) pieces of Gmelina arborea lumber were used as framing beams and columns, while 6.2mm plywood was used as the covering/sheathing material in the design and construction of a 1150mm(l) x 500mm (b) x 800mm (d) bookshelf. It was concluded that treated bamboo strips could be a partial substitute for lumber and plywood in furniture production.
Wood samples of imported Tectona grandis (TG) were exposed to Microwave pre-treatment with the aim to ameliorate its retention and penetration. Throughout the experimental set up, microwave frequency was kept constant and samples were exposed for different treatment times. Samples afterwards were subjected to diffusion and then pressure impregnation with 4% solutions of Borax: Boric Acid (BBA) and ZiBOC. MW treatment aided in distribution and uptake of the treating solution as the treated samples exhibited mean retention of 8.1 Kg/M and 9.2 Kg/M respectively for BBA and ZiBOC which were 64% to 75% more than that of the control. MW treatment further reduced processing time, improved flow of treating solution within wood microstructure and subsequently upgraded the treatability of class of refractory Tectona grandis from class “e” (Heartwood very refractory to treatment) to “a” (Heartwood easily treatable).
Pyrolytic oil and its toxicity were evaluated against wood decay termite using Boscia angustifolia wood. The wood samples prepared to size 2x2x6cm were soaked for 72h in light, heavy and mixed pyrolytic oil. The absorption rate after soaking and the weight loss after exposure to termite were determined. Data collected was analysed using simple statistics and analysis of variance at α0.05. Maximum wood absorption and lowest weight lost were obtained for mixed pyrolytic oil with 49.97% and 5.11% respectively. Light and heavy oils had poorer performance in protection after 8 weeks of testing, the rate obtained was 7 and 9 compared to 10 of the mixed oil. However, pyrolytic oil was found to totally protect the wood of Boscia angustifolia.
Sourcing of choice timber species is becoming increasingly difficult in the forests of West Africa including Nigeria. There is a need to provide alternative species by investigating the technical qualities of species that are hitherto neglected, therefore, the need to evaluate wood properties of Bambusa vulgaris with a view to assessing its potentials for appropriate utilizations. B. vulgaris culms were processed into different laminate thickness of 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm and test samples were also obtained from raw (unprocessed) bamboo. The Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of the two categories were then evaluated using Jinan Hensgrand Universal Electronic Testing Machine (Model WDW50). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. The mean MOE of raw B. vulgaris was 4556.21±98.42N/mm2. While the mean MOE for laminated B. vulgaris was 9300.03±898.16N/mm2. The mean values varied accordingly with the laminate thickness. MOE values increased from laminate thickness of 4mm to 10mm with 4944.75±250.57N/mm2 for 4mm thick; 6302.96±3269.47N/mm2 for 6mm thick; 11003.80±6322.20N/mm2 for 8mm thick and for 10mm thick is 14948.55±5190.75N/mm2. on the other hand the mean MOR of raw B. vulgaris was 51.88± 112.80N/mm2 and laminated was 60.87±16.40N/mm2. There was increase from laminate thickness of 4mm to 10mm and is as follows: 45.53±10.58N/mm2, 56.96±8.81N/mm2, 61.17±11.95N/mm2 and 79.81±12.53N/mm2 for 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm thick, respectively. Statistically, there was significant difference among the different laminate thickness and the raw bamboo for MOR but no significant difference for MOE. MOE and MOR increased with increase in laminate thickness. The flexural properties of both raw and laminated B. vulgaris compared favourably with some other conventional timber species.
Using face-to-face interviews and semi-structured questionnaires with timber housing developers, this study assed the perceptions of respective industries about government stimuli and public policies towards timber construction in Brazil. Four questions were developed under qualitative aspects, which were percentually measured to enable a response comparative. Thereby, 107 of 210 companies were evaluated here. Under statistical view, this sampling revealed a margin of error acceptable and next to the ideal condition. Results suggest that current policies have been apparently restrictive. Timber house producers still are dependant on strategies for whole national segments, whose scope does not promote both local cleaner industries and those focused on sustainable solutions such as from this studied sector. Tax cuts and exemptions for greener products could be an efficient alternative to incentive this production sector, and promote these sustainable timber houses. The creation of assertive public policies could attract more investors and developers to expand this industry and other forest-timber sectors and, consequently, contribute to reduce the housing shortage in Brazil.
: The results of this study showed that the appearance of discharge during treatment of wood with plasma highly depends on density distribution along the cross section of wood. By increasing the distance between the insulated high voltage electrode and substrate´s surface, the plasma streamers become more and more present in the regions of denser latewood, and at the some point these completely disappear. Modification of wood with differently concentrated NaCl aqueous solutions lead to an increased availability of ions, which improved the hydrophilic nature of wood surfaces and enhanced the effect of treatment of wood surface with plasma, making them even more susceptible to interact with water. However, the modification of wood with salt negatively affected on adhesion strength of applied commercial water-based coating. Further experimental work is planned to determine other dielectric properties of wood modified with NaCl, as well as detailed diagnostics of the discharges during plasma treatment.
There is an increased demand for multi-family houses in Sweden, which makes it important to investigate what the residents consider to be building quality in relation to their living situation and ...
