Abstract: The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of wood flour on the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLA)-chitosan biopolymer composites produced by compression molding. The composites were characterized by a combination of mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of chitosan to PLA matrix reduced the tensile strength from 57,1 MPa for pure PLA to 34,3 MPa for 5% chitosan and 11,5 MPa for 10% chitosan, and the flexure strength from 72,3 MPa for pure PLLA to 30,4 MPa for 5% chitosan and 24,6 MPa for 10% chitosan. The change trend in the young’s modulus was found to be similar as compare with the tensile strength. However, the flexure modulus generally increased with the addition of the chitosan as comparison with pure PLA. The mechanical properties of the PLA-chitosan blends with wood flour were found to be lower than theirs of the pure PLA. According to SEM images, some holes and small voids at various diameters on the fractured section of the all composites were seen. Tonset, T10%, T50%, T85% of the pure PLA decreased with the addition of both chitosan and wood flour. Thermal stability of the PLA-chitosan blends was determined to be better than the PLA-chitosan composites with wood flour.

Furniture is the general name given for the portable equipment used in various human activities such as seating, working and relaxing. They can be a product of design and is considered a form of decorative art. They can widely be manufactured with different adhesives. Biodegradable and bio-based adhesives which have no toxic compounds and non-dangerous elements have been selected since the furniture is generally benefited in interior locations. Meanwhile, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is a thermoplastic polymer which is widely used in the furniture industry. In this study, tension and bending strength of the furniture joints bonded with polyvinyl acetate adhesives filled with nano-TiO2 and nano-SiO2 were investigated. Three materials; oak (Quercus robur) wood, beech (Fagus orientalis) wood and plywood made with beech veneers were selected, and the joints were prepared by mortise and tenon joints. The results showed that the maximum value for the tension strength and bending strength were obtained to beech wood and oak wood in 2% addition of nano-SiO2 fillers. The minimum values for the tension and bending strength nano-SiO2 were found to plywood and 4% loading.

RESUMO Neste estudo, algumas das propriedades físicas e anatômicas de madeira afetada pelo cancro do castanheiro (CBD) foram investigadas, e o estudo também incluiu observações usando espectroscopia Raman. O objetivo destas investigações foi determinar a dimensão do dano que é causado na madeira dos castanheiros doentes, que devem ser removidos da floresta e utilizados na fabricação de produtos industriais. Foi avaliado que a maioria dos efeitos adversos da doença esta localizado no câmbio vascular. Há uma clara indicação de deterioração da madeira no último anel de crescimento junto ao câmbio vascular. Na região doente do xilema secundário ao lado do câmbio vascular o diâmetro, frequência e comprimento do vaso eram menores, e os vasos e outras células eram irregulares comparados à madeira saudável. Esporos foram detectados e identificados como Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Propriedades dos anéis anuais (largura de anéis de crescimento anual, porcentagem de lenho tardio, etc.) foram similares em madeira doente e madeira saudável. O resultado da espectroscopia Raman não mostrou mudança significativa na estrutura da parede celular ou dos seus componentes. Depois de retirar as partes doentes, o uso ilimitado da madeira é possível. Tratamento térmico da madeira é sugerido antes da utilização para fins de saneamento e estabilidade dimensional.

ABSTRACT In this study, some of the physical and anatomical properties of Chestnut Blight Diseased (CBD) wood were investigated, and the study also included observations using Raman spectroscopy. The objective of these investigations was to determine the extent of the damage that is done to the wood of the diseased chestnut trees, which must be removed from the forest and used in the manufacture of industrial products. It was indicated that most of the adverse effects of the disease were in the vascular cambium. There was a clear indication of deterioration of the wood in the last growth ring next to vascular cambium. In the diseased secondary xylem region next to vascular cambium; vessel diameter, vessel frequency and vessel element length had a decrease, and vessel and other cells were irregular compared to healthy wood. Spores were detected and identified as Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Annual ring properties (annual growth ring width, latewood percentage, etc.) were similar in diseased wood compared to healthy wood. The Raman spectroscopy results showed no significant changes in the structure of the cell wall or its components. After removing the diseased parts, unlimited usage of formerly wood is possible. Heat treatment of the wood is suggested before use in the interest of sanitation and dimensional stability.

Thermal instability is the one of the most important disadvantages of wood since it begins to decompose at a low temperature (>110 °C). Many scientists, past and present, have conducted studies aimed at improving the thermal stability of wood. The aim of this study was to impregnate wood with nano-sized boron nitride (NBN) to improve its thermal stability and to investigate the changes in the properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrist), Ash (Fraxinus exelsior), and Iroco (Chlorophora excelsa) woods after the impregnation. The effects of the impregnation with NBN also were investigated on the heat-treated woods. The impregnation was conducted with using full-cell method in a chamber under a pressure of 0,6 MPa for 1 h. Densities at 0% and 12% moisture content (MC), mechanical properties, color changes, thermal stability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDAX) analysis were determined. The test results showed that the impregnation of wood with NBN increased generally the flexural strength and elasticity of modulus at bending, but the NBN impregnation decreased generally the compression strength except for ACI, ATWI, IC, and ICI. It was also determined that the changes in density and color were statistically different after the impregnation. According to the SEM/EDAX results, deposits of nano-sized boron nitride were found inside the cell wall and on the pits. But the deposits were also determined in inside structure of the wood with EDAX analysis. Thermal stability in T10% and T50% of wood was found to improve after the impregnation with NBN. TG/DTG and DTA values for some samples were found to fluctuate due to the heterogeneous dispersion of the NBN in the wood.

The coating of wood and wood panel surfaces basically serves for surface protection and its surface can be improved at various user areas. Different application methods are used for the coating of MDF surface. These are methods such as curtain coating, spraying, rolling, knife, etc. In this study, suitability of pigment coating method instead of the traditional surface coating methods used for coating MDF panels and the effects of fire retardants on surface properties of MDF coated by the best appropriate coating mixture was investigated. Calcite and clay were used as coating pigment and latex, urea formaldehyde, and melamine formaldehyde were used as adhesive. Coating/adhesive mixture obtained was applied to MDF panels with knives. Before the analysis, test samples were put to condition room and they were kept in there for 1 week. According to the results obtained, the best appropriate coating material was found as calcite. 22% concentrated melamine formaldehyde as adhesive and 0.25 mm as coating thickness was determined better than other combinations. Borax, boric acid and zinc borate as fire retardant were added to calcite /melamine formaldehyde with 22% mixture. So, the effects of fire retardant on surface characterization were determined. Surface properties of coated MDF panels tested were found lower than standard requirements except for abrasion resistance.

The heat treatment of wood is an environment-friendly method for wood preservation. The heat treatment process only uses steam and heat, and no chemicals or agents are applied to the material during the process. Tests have shown no harmful emissions are apparent when working with the material. This process improves wood’s resistance to decay and its dimensional stability. In this study, the density, compression strength and hardness of heat treated hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) wood were investigated. Wood specimens that had been conditioned at 65% relative humidity and 20ºC were subjected to heat treatment at 170, 190, and 210 °C for 4, 8, and 12 hrs. After heat treatment, compression strength and hardness were determined according to TS 2595 and TS 2479. The results showed that the decreases of compression strength and hardness were related to the extent of density loss. Both compression strength and hardness decreased with the increasing temperatures and durations of the heat treatment. While the maximum density loss observed was 16.12% at 210 ºC and 12 hour, at these heat-treatment conditions, the compression strength approximately decreased 30% and hardness values in tangential, radial, and longitudinal directions approximately decreased by 55%, 54%, and 38%, respectively. Hence, it was concluded that there might be a relationship between changes of these wood properties.