STATE OF THE ART REVIEWS

COST ACTION E22: Environmental optimisation of wood protection
D. Production and evaluation of the following target products: Parquet flooring, boat
decking, floating boat bridges, doorframes and exterior furniture.
E. Life cycle assessment studies (with subcontractor).
Part B includes 1) Marine field test, 2) Pure culture testing with Postia placenta and
Coriolus versicolor with wood at three levels of modification and 3) TMC testing in
three soil types and three levels of modification.
Part C includes bending tests (E-modulus, MOR and shear modulus), acoustic Emodulus
measurements, ASE testing, linear expansion measurements (RH30->RH90),
impact strength testing, hardness testing and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyses
(DMTA) testing.
Part C is linked to the project “Chemically modified timber products with predictable
engineering performance” (see below) in which mainly four methods of wood modification
are evaluated: acetylation, heat treatment, melamine resin treatment and furfuryl
alcohol resin treatment. In the first step of this project acetylation, melamine resin and
heat treatment is used for the same wood material as part C in the Chemowood project
and tested parallel to the specimens from the Chemowood project.
Contact person:
Dr Mats Westin
E-mail: mats.westin@sikt.chalmers.se
Chemically modified timber products with predictable engineering performance (CTH)
The main objective of the project is to study the performance of timber products made
of modified wood and with the knowledge of the performance identify suitable endproducts
for each modification type. Other objectives are:
• to verify that suitable levels of modification have been reached
• to evaluate the possibilities to upgrade ”low-quality” wood material from for
example fast-grown trees or material cut close to the pith of the tree
• to study the effect of modification level upon the different mechanical properties
• to propose a specific modification method (and level) for a well-defined endproduct.
The project will be focussed on four modification methods:
1. Acetylation - one level of modification
2. Heat treatment - two levels
3. Modification with furfuryl alcohol - two levels
4. Treatment with melamine resin - two levels
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