Dorota Dukarska, Jakub Kawalerczyk, Ľuboš Krišťák, Maria Ekwińska, Rupali Tiwari, Miroslav Němec, Radosław Mirski
{"title":"Substitution of wood fibres with pine needles in the production of low-density boards for building applications","authors":"Dorota Dukarska, Jakub Kawalerczyk, Ľuboš Krišťák, Maria Ekwińska, Rupali Tiwari, Miroslav Němec, Radosław Mirski","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02462-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02462-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigated the effect of substituting wood fibres with pine needles on the properties of low-density fibreboards (LDFs). Boards were produced with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% needles content, and their physical (density, density profile, mat compression ratio, water absorption), mechanical (compressive strength at 10% deformation, internal bond), thermal (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, heat capacity), and acoustic (sound absorption coefficient, noise reduction coefficient) properties were investigated. Partial substitution of wood fibres with needles affected board structure and performance. Average density remained unaffected, but higher needle contents increased local density variations and reduced cross-sectional compactness. Mechanical strength decreased with higher needle content, while boards with up to 50% needles maintained compressive strength and internal bond. Water absorption increased with needle incorporation, but moderate substitution had negligible effect on moisture resistance. Thermal conductivity and diffusivity decreased with higher needle content, enhancing insulation performance, while heat capacity remained unaffected. Acoustic properties improved with needle addition, resulting in higher sound absorption and noise reduction. Overall, partial substitution of wood fibres with pine needles enabled the production of LDFs with optimized physical, mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties. Among the tested variants, boards containing 50% needles were identified as optimal, offering a favourable combination of structural homogeneity, mechanical strength, and insulating performance. These findings highlight the potential of pine needles as a sustainable alternative biomass for environmentally friendly LDFs with multifunctional properties.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00107-026-02462-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hongwei Fan, Min Li, Xinwei Tu, Honghai Liu, Lin Yang
{"title":"Effects and mechanisms of different drying methods on drying characteristics and surface physicochemical properties of silica sol-impregnated rubberwood","authors":"Hongwei Fan, Min Li, Xinwei Tu, Honghai Liu, Lin Yang","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02459-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02459-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As an environmentally friendly and low-cost nano-inorganic modifier, silica sol can enhance the mechanical properties, flame retardancy and decay resistance of wood when filled into wood pores. Its performance optimization relies on the drying and curing process, and drying methods exert a certain impact on the modification effect. In this study, silica sol-impregnated rubberwood was subjected to air drying, conventional drying and superheated steam drying respectively, to investigate the drying characteristics and surface physicochemical properties of the sawn timber under different drying processes. The results indicated that air drying failed to reduce the moisture content of sawn timber to 12%, while both conventional drying and superheated steam drying achieved this moisture content requirement, with their drying quality complying with the Grade Ⅱ drying quality standard. Silica sol impregnation significantly improved the surface roughness and hardness of sawn wood, with no significant difference among the three drying methods. After drying, superheated steam drying had the most significant effect on the surface color and gloss of sawn timber, with a total color difference <i>∆E*</i> of 17.53, and the gloss parallel to the wood grain and the gloss perpendicular to the wood grain decreased by 58.9% and 61.0% respectively compared with the untreated rubberwood. SEM characterization results indicated that wood pores were effectively filled with SiO<sub>2</sub> after drying and curing. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic Si-O-Si and Si-O-C chemical bonds in wood, demonstrating that silica sol was successfully converted into SiO<sub>2</sub> after drying and curing, which filled the wood interior and formed a stable combination.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Gurnik, Jochen Aderhold, Peter Meinlschmidt, Carsten Mai
{"title":"Effect of fibre size distributions and fibre orientation on the thermal conductivity of digitally generated twin structures of wood fibre insulation panels","authors":"Michael Gurnik, Jochen Aderhold, Peter Meinlschmidt, Carsten Mai","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02457-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02457-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigated the influence of fibre length and thickness distributions, as well as fibre orientation, on the thermal conductivity of digitally generated twin structures of wood fibre insulation panels (WFIP). For this purpose, virtual fibre structures with varying fibre sizes and orientations were systematically generated using the methodology of design of experiments (DoE) based on data obtained from a real WFIP and their thermal conductivity calculated. The defined regions of interest for the DoE relied on previously observed size distributions and orientations of fibres in the WFIP assessed by means of a fibre scanner and 3D CT analyses of physical WFIPs. In order to calculate the thermal conductivity, numerical simulation software was utilised, with the anisotropic thermal conductivity properties of wood fibres being designated as the input values. It has been demonstrated that the orientation of the fibres has the most significant impact on the thermal conductivity properties of the modelled fibre structures. The difference in calculated thermal conductivity between the most favourable and least favourable fibre orientations was approximately 20%, while fibre length contributed to a difference of approximately 4%. Fibre thickness had a smaller, non-significant effect. The evaluation of the DoE demonstrated a high degree of fit, with the results evidently substantiating the efficacy of the process of virtual twin generation in conjunction with a DoE and numerical calculations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A systematic review of the developments in bonding performance of hardwoods for mass timber composites","authors":"João Vítor Felippe Silva, Pierre Blanchet","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02463-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02463-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hardwood species offer superior mechanical properties, aesthetic value, and growing availability compared to softwoods, yet their use in mass timber elements remains limited due to bonding challenges. This review examines advances in hardwood bonding technologies over the past decade and highlights key knowledge gaps. A systematic search following PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted across four databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Compendex, and Google Scholar) covering peer-reviewed studies from January 2014 to November 2024. Of 6,627 records, 72 met the inclusion criteria. The review identified a wide range of hardwood species, predominantly tropical, and analyzed their bonding performance. Bondline shear strength was primarily influenced by wood density, while delamination was linked to adhesive compatibility. Adhesive penetration correlated with adhesive properties and vessel anatomy. The review also explored pre-bonding treatments and hybrid bonding with softwoods. Only studies involving polymeric adhesives and solid hardwood lamellae were included, excluding veneer bonding developments. The findings underscore the complexity of hardwood bonding and point to critical areas for future research to enhance the viability of hardwoods in mass timber construction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhou Zhang, Ruohan Tang, Wusheng Luo, Mengya Xing, Xiangshuai Wang
{"title":"Methods for enhancing wood permeability: a review of mechanisms, process characteristics, and property trade-offs","authors":"Zhou Zhang, Ruohan Tang, Wusheng Luo, Mengya Xing, Xiangshuai Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02458-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02458-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Resistance to fluid mass transfer in wood primarily originates from anatomical barriers, such as pit aspiration, the deposition of extractives, and tyloses blockage. These structural features severely restrict the penetration depth and uniform distribution of functional modifiers. In this review, we systematically compare the underlying mechanisms and engineering characteristics of three primary permeability enhancement technologies: physical field-assisted treatments, chemical etching, and biological enzymatic hydrolysis. This review shows that physical methods (e.g., microwave, ultrasound, and vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI)) rely on external energy fields to unblock or facilitate fluid pathways, although structural damage or strength loss may occur at excessive treatment intensities. Chemical methods improve wettability and pore accessibility by solubilizing extractives or degrading specific matrix components, yet they still face challenges related to reagent recovery, environmental burden, and possible mechanical impairment. Biological methods offer high selectivity and low energy consumption; however, industrial application is hindered by prolonged processing cycles and the limited diffusion depth of enzyme molecules. Because individual technologies struggle to simultaneously satisfy permeation efficiency, structural integrity, and economic viability, this review highlights the synergistic enhancement mechanisms of combined modification strategies. We emphasize that combining targeted microscale unblocking, such as enzymatic hydrolysis or green-solvent treatment, with macroscale impregnation processes, such as vacuum-pressure or supercritical-fluid treatments, offers an effective route to overcoming the functionalization bottlenecks in refractory wood. Future research should focus on developing digital mass-transfer models under multiphysics coupling, developing precision modification technologies for targeted barrier removal, and establishing comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Vanessa Alvarez Marin, Zahra Naghizadeh, Tawsif Rahman, Maria Soledad Peresin
{"title":"Correction: Optimization of material and extrusion parameters for wood flour–epoxy composites with potential additive-manufacturing applications in construction","authors":"Laura Vanessa Alvarez Marin, Zahra Naghizadeh, Tawsif Rahman, Maria Soledad Peresin","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02464-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02464-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00107-026-02464-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148628726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chao Chen, M. D. C. de la Victoire, Sheng He, Junfeng Wang, Buyun Lu, Shengcheng Zhai, Yunpeng Ni, Shichang Dong, Weiqi Leng
{"title":"Geometric determinism of vibro-acoustic feedback in composite laminates: a multi-source laser and FEA study on table tennis blade dynamics","authors":"Chao Chen, M. D. C. de la Victoire, Sheng He, Junfeng Wang, Buyun Lu, Shengcheng Zhai, Yunpeng Ni, Shichang Dong, Weiqi Leng","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02454-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02454-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The distinct auditory and haptic feedback (collectively termed “acoustic feel”) of a table tennis blade originates from its structural vibrations, which acoustically radiate upon ball impact. This study investigates the vibro-acoustic filtering role of blade geometry—a critical yet underexplored acoustic design parameter. A cross-verification framework integrating multi-source laser metrology (Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) and Laser Interferometry (ESPI)) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was employed. To isolate geometric effects, rectangular blades (W-series) were compared against standard-shaped blades (NG-series) with identical laminate compositions. Results demonstrate that the shaping process acts as a low-pass spectral filter, reducing the first- and second-order acoustically dominant natural frequencies by up to 30%. While fundamental acoustic radiation acoustic radiation mode shapes (bending and torsion) are preserved, ESPI reveals geometry-driven alterations in vibrational energy transmission paths, particularly the enhanced continuity of structure-borne sound into the handle region in shaped blades. FEA predictions corroborate the first-order frequency reduction trend and acoustic radiation mode shapes. This work establishes geometry as a primary lever for tuning the vibro-acoustic identity of sports composites, providing a validated, non-destructive framework for performance-driven acoustic design.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arip Wijayanto, Resa Martha, Wayan Darmawan, Philippe Gérardin
{"title":"Properties enhancement of short rotation Acacia mangium through furfuryl alcohol and glycerol-citric acid treatments","authors":"Arip Wijayanto, Resa Martha, Wayan Darmawan, Philippe Gérardin","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02451-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02451-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The production of <i>Acacia mangium</i> (acacia) logs in 2024 reached 42.25% from total production of logs in Indonesia. However, previous investigation revealed that acacia, especially sapwood, has low quality in basic properties and natural durability. In order to optimize the utilization of short rotation acacia wood, its inferior properties need to be enhanced. The goal of this present research was to investigate the effect of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and glycerol-citric acid (GCA) treatments on the technological properties of acacia. FA treatment was performed using mixture of 45% furfuryl alcohol and 5% tartaric acid at the polymerization temperature of 120 °C and GCA was carried out using 34% citric acid and 10% glycerol at the polymerization temperature of 140 °C. The properties of treated acacia wood were characterized by measuring their impregnation rate (IR), weight% gain (WPG), bulking effect (BE), density, leachability, colour change, dimensional stability, thermal stability, contact angle, durability, and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), Brinell hardness). The results show that the IR, WPG, and BE of treated sapwood were higher than those of heartwood. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates that the reaction of FA or GCA polymer occurred with the wood polymers. Durability of the FA and GCA treated wood against brown rot and white rot was classified as very durable (class 1). The treated acacia wood also presented a darker colour, higher density, higher contact angle, higher Brinell hardness and better dimensional stability compared with the untreated wood. However, the FA and GCA treatments caused a slight decrease in the value of both MOE and MOR. The GCA treatment could be an eco-friendly promising method for improving the quality of short-rotation wood, turning it to be suitable for both interior and exterior applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicolle de Magalhães Branco, Thamires Alves da Silveira, Lucas Leal Agne, Maikson Luiz Passaia Tonatto, Rafaella Nörnberg, Rafael Gonçalves Hammes, Rafael de Avila Delucis
{"title":"Small-scale cross-laminated timber panels: bending performance through analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches","authors":"Nicolle de Magalhães Branco, Thamires Alves da Silveira, Lucas Leal Agne, Maikson Luiz Passaia Tonatto, Rafaella Nörnberg, Rafael Gonçalves Hammes, Rafael de Avila Delucis","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02453-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02453-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product that has gained increasing attention in structural applications due to its sustainability and mechanical efficiency. In Brazil, however, experimental research on CLT remains limited, mainly because few laboratories are able to manufacture panels at the dimensions required by current testing standards. This study investigates the bending behavior of laboratory-scale CLT panels as a practical alternative for mechanical characterization and model validation. Small-scale CLT panels with three and five layers were manufactured using <i>Pinus elliottii</i> wood and a monocomponent polyurethane structural adhesive. Four-point bending tests were performed to obtain load–displacement responses, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and failure modes. In addition to the experimental investigation, the bending stiffness was evaluated using analytical models based on beam and laminate theories, and a three-dimensional finite element model was developed to numerically reproduce the experimental response. The three- and five-layer CLT panels achieved average MOE values of approximately 8.871 GPa and 6.977 GPa, respectively, while the corresponding average MOR values were 53.61 MPa and 42.89 MPa. Failure was predominantly brittle and initiated in the tensile layers. Comparisons between experimental results and analytical and numerical predictions showed consistent trends in bending stiffness and load–displacement behavior, with quantitative differences depending on the adopted modeling approach. The results indicate that laboratory-scale CLT panels can reproduce stiffness trends and dominant failure mechanisms reported for structurally sized CLT elements with comparable configurations, supporting their applicability for preliminary experimental and numerical investigations with reduced material and equipment demands.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00107-026-02453-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Przemysław Mania, Carlo Kupfernagel, Christoph Scheffel, Paweł Kościuczyk
{"title":"Effect of biological delignification with Phanerochaete chrysosporium on the densification and mechanical properties of poplar wood","authors":"Przemysław Mania, Carlo Kupfernagel, Christoph Scheffel, Paweł Kościuczyk","doi":"10.1007/s00107-026-02452-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00107-026-02452-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Biological pretreatment with <i>Phanerochaete chrysosporium</i> was evaluated as a route to facilitate thermo-mechanical densification of poplar. Twenty-four specimens were incubated for 16 weeks either with vermiculite (enhanced decay) or without, then hot-pressed radially from 25 mm to 8 mm, while maintaining a temperature of 120 °C. Vermiculite-assisted samples showed a much higher mean mass loss (29.0% vs. 5.9%) but a lower mean densification degree (74.4% vs. 115.8%) compared to non-vermiculite samples. Set recovery after 72 h at high relative humidity remained approximately 40% for both variants. Mechanical testing revealed that vermiculite-assisted specimens suffered significant longitudinal strength loss (L 10.1 ± 5.6 N·mm⁻²). In contrast, the non-vermiculite samples showed significant gains in radial strength (R 31.4 ± 10.7 N·mm⁻²) compared to undensified poplar controls. The applied fungal pretreatment did not result in selective delignification sufficient to improve dimensional stability after densification.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":550,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Wood and Wood Products","volume":"84 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00107-026-02452-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148614223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}