Effects of site conditions on growth and wood properties of Populus×euramericana cv.'74/76'

The growth and wood properties of 240 individual Populus×euramericana cv.’74/76’(hereafter poplar 107)trees planted in Hebei Plain,China was evaluated.Mean annual increments in height,breast height diameter and volume,as well as cellulose,hemicellulose and lignin contents,shrinkage,density,bending strength and modulus of elasticity in the heart wood and sap wood.Environmental factors influencing growth and wood properties were analyzed using correlation and stepwise regres sion.The results show that the coefficients of variation(CVs)of growth traits ranged from 10.6 to 22.4%.The CVs of the chemical properties of heartwood ranged from 4.3 to 30.2%,and for sap wood from 3.2 to 27.5%.The CVs of the physical and mechanical properties of heartwood ranged from 8.6 to 31.7%,and for sapwood from 6.4 to 29.9%.The results of one-way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences in growth traits and wood properties among sites.Soil pH,total and available phosphorus,total potassium,and soil organic matter were key soil factors affecting growth and wood properties of poplar 107,whereas mean annual ground temperatures and precipitation were the main climatic factors.To better cultivate poplar 107,area with less annual rainfall,slightly higher temperature and soil pH value close to neutral should be selected.

Classification of Principal Wood Species in China Based on the Physiomechanical Properties

Many tree species are planted in China with variable properties and usage.Toward exploring the structure-properties relationships of wood and classifying the species more reasonably,the physiomechanical properties of the domestic wood species in China were analyzed statistically.According to the correlation analysis,the mechanical properties were closely related to the wood density.Except impact toughness and cleavage strength,the correlation coefficients between mechanical properties and densities were more than 0.8.However,shrinkage properties showed fewer correlations with densities,and the coefficient was no more than 0.7.Primary component analysis was proved to be feasible to explore the information of the physiomechanical properties.Two principal components(PC1 and PC2)could account for most of the information.PC1 and PC2 were designated as density-dominated and shrinkage-associated factors,respectively.The domestic wood species in China could be classified into 4 clusters based on their physiomechanical properties.According to the cluster results,reasonable grading was proposed for air-dried density,volume shrinkage,modulus of rupture,compression strength parallel to grain and hardness in cross section.The statistical results brought insights into analyzing the physiomechanical properties of domestic Chinese wood species,which was helpful for developing strategies of tree breeding and technologies of wood processing.

Effect of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-treated Mg-6.0Zn-1.2Y-0.7Zr alloy

In this study,the effects of Ca addition on the microstructure,thermal properties,and mechanical properties of a Mg-6.0Zn-1.2Y-0.7Zr(ZWK611)alloy at room temperature and 150℃ were investigated.With an increase in the Ca content,the ignition resistance of the ZWK611 alloy improved and the grains became finer.The as-cast ZWK611 alloy consisted mainly of the dendriticα-Mg matrix and I-phase(Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y)at the grain boundaries.On the other hand,theτ-(Ca_(2)Mg_(6)Zn_(3))and I-phases were formed in the Ca-added ZWK611 alloy.The fraction of theτ-phase increased with an increase in the Ca content.After the solid-solution treatment,these phases remained partially at the grain boundaries of the Ca-added ZWK611 alloys and an additional W-phase(Mg_(3)Zn_(3)Y)was observed.The phases remaining at the grain boundaries restricted the grain growth through the grain boundary pinning effect.The aging treatment resulted in the formation of MgZn'precipitates in theα-Mg matrix of the alloys.These precipitates were more uniformly distributed in the Ca-added alloys than in the alloys without Ca.Thus,the heat treatment-induced precipitation improved the tensile and creep properties of the T6-treated alloys.The T6-treated ZWK611+0.7Ca alloy exhibited the best mechanical properties at room temperature and 150℃ among all the tested alloys.

Effects of Steam Heat-Treatment on Properties of Pinus massoniana Wood and Its Bonding Performance

Pinus massoniana wood was modified by steam heat-treatment at 160℃,180℃,200℃ and 220℃ respectively and effects of the changes of density,pH,surface wettability and apparent morphology of Pinus massoniana heat-treated wood on its bonding performance were studied in this paper.The results showed that Pinus massoniana wood underwent a series of physical and chemical changes during heat-treatment as the the following:(1)The degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose with low degree of polymerization,degradation and migration of the extract resulting in the decline of density and pH of heat-treated Pinus massoniana wood.(2)Brittle fracture occured on the cell wall surface,and the pit collapse,shrink and deformation,resulting in the formation of roughness and porosity on the wood surface.(3)The surface energy decreased with the improvement of temperature,the surface wettability of Pinus massoniana wood treated at 160℃–180℃ was good,while that at 200℃–220℃ showed hydrophobicity.(4)Changes of density,pH,surface roughness and porosity,and wettability resulted in a reduction in the bonding strength and reliability of heat-treated Pinus massoniana wood with MUF resin adhesive.(5)When the temperature was at 160℃–180℃,the better wettability of heat-treated Pinus massoniana wood could guarantee the better bonding performance.

Variation analyses of growth and wood properties of Larix olgensis clones in China

The growth traits (tree height, diameter at breast height, and stem straightness degree) and wood properties [wood density (WD), fiber length, fiber width, ash content (AC), lignin content, cellulose content, hemicellulose content (HEC), and holocellulose content] of 208 26-year-old Larix olgensis clones were analyzed. Except for WD and AC, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) for all traits among clones. The phenotypic coefficient of variation and repeatability of all traits were 9.34-35.33% and 0.218-0.930, respectively. Tree height and diameter at breast height showed significant positive correlation; however, the correlation coefficients among growth characteristics and wood properties were mostly not significant. Ten clones (L70, L56, L82, L90, L59, L91, L61, L92, L86, and L64) were selected as excellent clones under a selection rate of 5%, using tree height, diameter at breast height, and stem straightness degree as evaluation indexes, providing genetic gains of 28.69, 17.96, and 0.67%, respectively. Ten clones (L88, L305, L59, L66, L253, L304, L277, L298, L248, and L293) were selected as excellent clones using wood properties as an evaluation index, with a selection rate of 5%, providing genetic gains in WD, fiber length, fiber width, cellulose content, and HEC of 4.14, 3.64, 9.28, 6.77, and 9.61%, respectively. This study provides a theoretical basis for selecting excellent L. olgensis clones.

Age trends and correlations of growth and wood properties in clone of Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis in Guangdong, China

We assessed growth traits and wood properties ofDH32-29, a clone of Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis, at age of two to six years in Guangdong in China. Analysis of variance of studied traits showed that there were significant differences （1% level） on all studied traits among ages except for wood basic density. Analysis of age trends of growth traits and wood properties revealed that rotation length of DH32-29 should be more than six years or longer. Phenotypic correlations among traits at individual ages indicated that correlations between growth traits were strongly positive. There was significant change in relationship between growth and wood basic density with increasing age, ranging from -0.03 to -0.54 at 2 and 5 year and 0.003 to 0.3 at 3, 4 and 6 year. Correlations between Pilodyn pin penetration and basic density measured on increment cores showed that Pilodyn could rank or group genotypes or sites into density classes, but failure to predict individual tree and individual clone.

Deformation fixation, mechanical properties and chemical analysis of compressed Populus cathayana wood pretreated by glycerin

In order to find an effective and environmentally friendly method to fix compressive deformation of wood, we determined or measured the recovery ratio, surface hardness, modulus of elasticity （MOE） and the modulus of rupture （MOR） of poplar （Populus cathayana Rehd.） samples pretreated by 40-60% glycerin solutions and then compressed at 160℃ for 10-120 min. We analyzed the data statistically by using two-factor analysis of variance. The chemical compositions of thermal treated wood were also analyzed and compared with untreated control samples. The results showed that the compressive deformation of wood can be properly fixed by glycerin pretreatment. The recovery ratio of compressed wood decreased with prolonging compression time and increasing concent-ration of the glycerin solution. However, the mechanical properties of compressed wood decreased after a long time of compression. The optimal fixation of compressive deformation is to pretreat the wood by a solution of 50% glycerin and compression at 160℃ for 60 min. The analysis of chemical composition showed that glycerin displayed an accelerating effect on degradation of hemicelluloses and lignin during heat-treatment, which explains the main reason of the effect of acceleration of glycerin on deformation fixation of compressed wood.

Geographic variation and provenance-selection for bamboo wood properties in Bambusachungii

Using 3-year-old culms of 8 provenances of Bambusa chungii from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, the indexes of wood properties, such as fiber dimensions and chemical composition were investigated and analyzed by the methods of Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient to reveal the geographic genetic variation situation. The results showed that there are significant differences be- tween fiber length, fibrin and 1% NaOH extraction contents of B. chungii from 8 provenances; moreover, the fiber length and fiber length/width ratio had a decreasing change pattern with geographic variation from the south to the north in altitude （from high to low in ele- vation）. The heritabilities for fibrin, fiber length, 1% NaOH extractive, lignin and fiber length/width ratio were 0.7, 0.84, 0.54, 0.38 and 0.13, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 1% NaOH extraction, benzo-alcohol extraction contents and bamboo culm yield, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between fibrin contents and bamboo wood yield. Besides, a close correlation was detected between fiber dimensions indices and bamboo growth or bamboo wood yield. Finally, three provenances with high qualities and culm yield, i.e. Huaiji, Xinyi and Guilin, were selected as superior sources based on principal component analysis.

Preliminary study of viscoelastic properties of MAPP-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Viscoelastic properties of maleated polypropylene （MAPP）-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites （WPC） were investigated by both a compression stress relaxation method and dynamic mechanical analyses （DMA）. Three wood to polymer ratios （40：60, 60：40, and 80：20） and five MAPP loading levels （0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%） were used to study their effects on the viscoelastic prop- erties of MAPP-WPC. The results show that： 1） higher wood to polymer ratio corresponds to higher stress relaxation levels for unmodified WPC. The modification with MAPP has an obvious effect on the stress relaxation of MAPP-WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios （60：40 and 80：20）, but almost no effect at the 40：60 wood to polymer ratio. The optimal MAPP loading level for the wood to polymer ratio of 60：40 appears at 1%; 2） the storage modulus reaches its maximum at a MAPP loading level of 1% for wood to polymer ratios of 40：60 and 60：40, while for the 80：20 wood to polymer ratio, a higher storage modulus is observed at higher MAPP loading levels, which is quite consistent with the stress relaxation results. The results suggested that a suitable loading level of MAPP has a positive effect on the viscoelastic properties of WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios. Excessive MAPP loading would have resulted in adverse effects.

Impacts of freezing and thermal treatments on dimensional and mechanical properties of wood flour-HDPE composite

Wood plastic composite （WPC） of wood flour （WF）, high density polyethylene （HDPE）, maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene （MAPE） and lubricant was prepared by extrusion, and then exposed to different temperatures to evaluate the effects of freezing and thermal treatment on its dimensional and mechanical properties. At elevated temperatures, WPC expanded rapidly initially, and then contracted slowly until reaching an equilibrium state. Treatment at 52°C and relative humidity of 50% for 16 days improved the mechanical properties of WPC： flexure, tensile strength, and izod unnotched impact strength increased by 8%, 10% and 15%, respectively. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction （XRD） tests showed that the degree of crystalization of HDPE in WPC declined with increasing treatment temperature.

RESEARCH A NEW TOOL STEEL AND ITS PROPERTIES FOR MAKING WOOD-CHIP CUTTING KNIVES

On the basis of analyses of service conditions and properties requirements of wood chip cutting knives, an alloying scheme was formulated and a kind of new tool steel was developed. Parameters for its heat treating process and mechanical properties were systematically investigated and optimized. Satisfactory results were obtained on the knives in practice.

Determination of the Properties of Some Selected Timber Species for Structural Application

One of the alternative sustainable and green construction materials to concrete is timber. Timber is of numerous varieties, and this acts as a barrier to the extent of its usage, especially in structural application. Despite many researches on wood’s mechanical and physical properties, only a few are geared toward the structural application of wood. The present work investigated the mechanical properties of five timber species;Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis (Teak), Terminalia superba (Afara), Ayin (Anogeissus leiocarpus), and Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), to determine their suitability for constructing long-span roof trusses. These are available in the South Western part of Nigeria. Their mechanical properties;bending strength, compressive strength, shear strength, tensile strength, Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR), and density, were determined in the laboratory. The results obtained showed that all the timber types, except Terminalia superba (Afara), have higher values of mechanical properties than the values that are obtainable for classes of strength D30 to class D70 in the British Code of Practice. It means these species are of higher quality than the stipulated strength classes in the British code. The results also show that the order of relevance of the species for structural design (or work) is Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Ayin (Anogeissus leiocarpus), Gmelina Arborea, and Tectona grandis (Teak). Terminalia superba (Afara) is not recommended for structural works.

Comparative Study on the Properties of Inorganic Silicate and Organic Phenolic Prepolymer Modified Poplar Wood by Vacuum Cycle Pressurization

To enhance mechanical properties and improve flame retardancy and smoke suppression of fast-growing poplar wood in wood applications,the wood was impregnated and modified.An organic phenolic prepolymer and inorganic sodium silicate was used as contrasting impregnation modifiers and wood samples were impregnated by a bionic“respiration”method with alternating positive and negative pressure.The weight percentage gain,density increase ratio,mechanical properties(bending and compressive strength and hardness),and water absorption rate of inorganic and organic-impregnated modified poplar wood(IIMPW and OIMPW,respectively)were compared and these properties in IIMPW were found to be higher than those of OIMPW with the exception of the water absorption rate which was lower than the OIMPW.This was attributed to the superior absorption of sodium silicate that also improved the impregnation,reinforcement,and dimensional stability in the IIMPW.The chemical structure,crystalline structure,internal morphology,flame retardancy,smoke suppression,and thermal stability of IIMPW and OIMPW were characterized by FT-IR,XRD,SEM,CONE,and TGA.FT-IR and XRD results showed that,although IIMPW cellulose crystallinity reduced the most,more chemical bonds were come into being in IIMPW,which explained the better physical and mechanical properties of IIMPW.Compared with OIMPW,IIMPW had better flame retardant and smoke suppression performance.

Allelic variation in the coumarate 3-hydroxylase gene associated with wood properties of Catalpa fargesii Bur.

Coumarate 3-hydroxylase(C3h)genes participate in the synthesis of lignin and may affect the properties of wood that are important for its commercial value.A better understanding of the natural variation in C3h genes and their associations to wood properties is required to effectively improve wood quality.We used a candidate gene-based association mapping approach to identify CfC3h allelic variants associated with traits that affect the wood properties of Catalpa fargesii.We first isolated the full-length CfC3h cDNA(1825 bp),which was expressed at relatively high levels in xylem according to real time-polymerase chain reaction.In totally,17 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms(minor allele frequency>5%)were identified through cloning and sequencing the CfC3h locus from a mapping population(including 88 unrelated natural C.fargesii individuals collected from main distribution area).Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium(LD)in CfC3h indicate that CfC3h has low nucleotide diversity(π_(t)=0.0031 andθ_(w)=0.0103)and relatively low LD(within 1800 bp;r^(2)≥0.1).An association analysis identified eight common single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)(false discovery rate,Q<0.10)and ten haplotypes(Q<0.10)associated with wood properties,explaining 4.92-12.09%of the phenotypic variance in an association population consisted of 125 unrelated natural individuals(The 88 individuals from the mapping population were comprised in the association population).Our study would provide new insight into C3h gene affecting wood quality,and the SNP markers identified would have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding in the future.

The properties of flax fiber reinforced wood flour/high density polyethylene composites

Flax fiber(FF) was used to reinforce wood flour/high density polyethylene composites(WF/PE).WF/PE particles were uniformly mixed with FF via high-speed mixing and then extruded with a single screw extruder to prepare FF reinforced WF/PE composites(FF/WF/PE).Mechanical testing,dynamic mechanical analysis,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),creep measurement and Torque rheology were used to characterize the resulting composites.The results indicate that the mechanical performance of the composites could be remarkably improved by adding a limited amount of FF.The flexural strength and modulus increased by 14.6 and 51.4%,respectively(FF content of 9 wt%),while the unnotched impact strength could be increased by 26.5%(FF content of12 wt%).The creep resistance and toughness of thecomposite was markedly improved without changing the plastic content of the composite material.

STUDIES ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DAHURIAN LARCH-WOOD OF TWO WOOD COLOURS

Dahurian larch growing in Daxing’an Mountains can be divided into two types according to the wood colour: one is red, the other is white. Based on the national standard of the "Testing methods for physical &mechanical properties of wood", the parameters of wood colour and physico-mechanical properties of the above two different woods were tested and analyzed.The result showed that the colour rational phenetic parameters, physico-mechanical properties and work abilities of thc two woods were quite different, combincd with the other morphological characteristics, they belong to intraspccific two different types of Dahurian larch. The white wood is superior to the red one as a valuable timber tree. Because the cocfficients of shrinkage, hardness and colour of both are different, they were mixed working in the past, inevitably there have been various defects in working. In order to overcome these defects, we propose that the departments of wood production, salesmen and consumers should use them differently according to their individual character.

Preliminary study of the effects of EVA coupling agents on properties of wood-plastic composites

As a hot-melt adhesive, ethylene-vinyl-acetate （EVA） has been used in many industrial applications. But studies of the application of EVA in wood-plastic composites （WPC） are relatively few, so we have investigated the proposition of whether EVA is a suitable coupling agent for WPC or not. The results show that EVA with 8% VA is not a suitable coupling agent, because it reduces the mechanical properties of WPC without any significant effect on its physical properties. With an increase in the amount of wood powder, the mechanical properties of WPC decrease and the ability of water absorption of WPC increases.

SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF IMPORTANT CHINESE WOODS

In this paper,the physical and mechanical properties of important Chinese woodswere studied by using the methods of variable analysis, regression analysis,correlation analysis,principle component analysis and so on systematically.The results showed synthetical characteristicof the physical and mechanical properties of Chinese woods.Some opinions of former authors wererevised and some new laws were discovered.That is helpful to study of the physical and mechanicalproperties of woods.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WOOD PROPERTIES BETWEENWHITE WOOD OF DAHURIAN LARCH AND MONGOLIANSCOTCH PINE

The comparative result shows that the physical and mechanical properties of wood between white wood of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelini (Rupr.) Rupr.) and Mangolian scotch pine (Pinus cylvesthe var. mongolica) are different Some differences are very conspicuous,(e. g. compressivc strength parallel to grain, modulus of elasticity in static bending, toughness and bending strength etc. ),and others are slightly conSPicuous or not conspicuous,(e.g. shrinkage, differential shrinkage and shearing strength parallel to grain etc.). The properties of white wood of Dahurian larch are suitable weight and soft texture, median strength,median shrinkage and good in worability, while which of Mongolian scotch pine are light and soft nearly very soft,weak strength, median shrinkage are good in workability. However, the white wood of Dahuran larch is superior to the Mongolian scotch pine in Strength-to-weight ratio.It is a valuable timber tree.

VARIATION PATTERN OF WOOD PROPERTIES OF NATURALCUNNINGHAMIA LANCEOLATA

In thes paper, the variation pattffe of wood Prpebo was edied for natural Cunninghamia lanceolata. The mathematical models of property were obtained on tracbeidlength, microfibril angle, late wood percdsgn, growth ring width and growth ring dsisity in the radial direction. The interrelation were analynd between tracheid length and microfibril angle. The result can provide sciatilic theory basis for wood utilhaion and early prediction of wood properties .