Application of Microwave Treatment for the Plasticisation of Beech Wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) and its Densification for Flooring System Purposes

作者：Doemeny Jakub; Kois Vojtech; Zapletal Miroslav

来源：BioResources, 2014, 9(4): 7519-7528.

DOI：10.15376/biores.9.4.7519-7528

• Microwave treatment
• High-frequency energy
• Plasticisation
• Density

In this study, the application of microwave treatment for wood plasticisation and its densification for flooring system purposes is presented. Microwave plasticisation was carried out using a continuous laboratory device at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, and the testing samples made from European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood were plasticised at different power modes (2 kW, 3.5 kW, and 5 kW). Afterwards, the densification (ratio 50%) of pre-treated samples was performed. The surface temperature (T-s) and average moisture content (MC) of the samples were measured after plasticisation. The results showed the influence of the chosen mode on MC decrease and rapid T-s increase. Thus, the densification of testing samples is affected by different initial conditions that occur during the plasticisation process (MC and T-s). The Brinell hardness (H-B) of the densified samples increased by about 57% (2 kW), 103% (3.5 kW), and 83% (5 kW), compared with control samples. These results provide a better understanding of microwave plasticisation usability and its potential optimisation and application in the wood flooring industry.

• 出版日期2014-11