• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제51권5호
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• pp.410-418
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• 2023

In this study, the combustion characteristics of the Tulip tree, which is the representative broad-leaved afforestation tree in Korea, were analyzed. The flame retardant performance of the Tulip tree was analyzed by analyzing combustion characteristics on a total of three test samples; flame retardant treated, both flame retardant and oil stain-treated, and untreated. Then the flame retardance grade was classified for each of them. According to the result, test samples showed the strongest flame retardance were in order of flame retardant treated (C), both flame retardant and oil stain-treated (B), and untreated (A). As a result of analyzing the total heat emission and maximum heat emission rates, which is the evaluation standard for interior materials of Korean domestic buildings, test samples with flame retardant treat or flame retardant and oil stain treat were qualified for the flame-retardant standard. Both flame retardant and oil stain-treated samples showed higher total heat release (THR) and heat release rate compared to flame retardant-treated samples as the oil causes combustion with oxygen. On the other hand, they didn't qualify the THR in Quasi-non-combustible standards. To determine the correlation between the physical and combustion characteristics of wood, the combustion characteristics of other diffuse porous wood species, with which the Tulip tree is affiliated were analyzed, and noticed that the characteristic correlates with the density and quantity of wood. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic information on the combustion characteristics of the Tulip tree.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.183-196
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• 2023

Recently, the morphological and molecular features of five stain fungi infecting rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), namely Paecilomyces maximus, Paecilomyces formosus, Penicillium crustosum, Paecilomyces lecythidis and Aspergillus chevalieri, have been studied. Prior to this study, the authors revealed that catechin from gambir (Uncaria gambir) could inhibit the growth of the white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune, and it was important to determine the bioactivity of the aforementioned agent against A. chevalieri. The efficacy of the biocidal agent was examined using a laboratory wooden block test. Rubberwood blocks, 8 mm in thickness, 20 mm in width, and 30 mm in length, were impregnated with catechin solution at concentrations of 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% (w/v) using the vacuum-pressure method, and their bioactivity was monitored over three weeks through visual and scanning electron microscope assessment of fungal growth as well as the discoloration intensity of the wood samples. The results showed that catechin treatment increased the resistance of wood samples to A. chevalieri. Overall, the higher the catechin concentration, the lower the fungal growth. The lowest fungal growth was observed in the wood samples treated with 12% and 15% catechin (score of 0), demonstrating no discoloration. In contrast, the fungal growth score of the untreated wood samples reached 4, indicating severe discoloration. Catechins appear to be adequate biofungicides against stain fungi in rubberwood.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.216-220
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 목분-고분자 복합체(Wood Flour-Polymer Composite, WPC)의 상분리 특성을 조사하고 이를 토대로 목분함량에 따른 WPC의 기계적 물성 변화에 관한 원인을 규명하였다. 이를 위해 고분자 매트릭스로 폴리프로필렌을 사용하여 서로 다른 함량의 목분을 갖는 시편을 제조하였다. 서로 다른 목분 함량을 갖는 시편들의 DSC thermogram으로부터 목분 함량에 따른 고분자 PP의 결정화 경향과 $T_m$ 경향을 분석하였다. 목분 함량이 증가함에 따라 고분자 PP의 결정량 및 $T_m$값 모두 감소하다 다시 증가하는 결과를 나타내었다. 이로부터 낮은 목분 함량에서는 목분이 매트릭스인 고분자 내에 분산되어 있으나 일정 목분 함량이상에서는 WPC의 매트릭스인 PP와 목분사이에 상분리가 일어남을 확인할 수 있었다. 한편, WPC 시편의 인장강도는 목분 함량이 증가할수록 감소하는 결과를 나타내었다. 낮은 목분 함량에서는 고분자에 분산된 목분과 고분자 사이에서의 낮은 계면 결합력과 시편내에서 강도를 높이는 역할을 하는 결정량의 감소가, 높은 목분 함량에서는 PP와 목분사이에서의 상분리로 인한 계면 결함이 WPC 시편의 인장강도를 목분함량 증가에 따라 지속적으로 감소시키는 원인이 되는 것으로 파악되었다. WPC 시편의 충격강도는 목분 함량이 증가함에 따라 증가하다가 목분 함량이 20%인 경우 최고값을 나타내며, 그 이후 다시 감소하는 경향을 나타내었는데, 낮은 목분 함량에서는 목분 함량이 증가할수록 시편의 결정량이 감소하므로 시편의 취성 감소에 의해 충격강도가 향상되나, 높은 목분 함량에서는 고분자 매트릭스와 목분 사이의 상분리로 인해 다시 충격강도가 저하되기 때문인 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.748-755
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• 2018

Timber from fast-growing tree species is susceptible to by biodeterioration attack, particularly subterranean termites. Impregnation with methyl methacrylate (MMA) potentially increases wood resistance to subterranean termite attack. Four wood species, namely sengon (Falcataria moluccana), jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba), mangium (Acacia mangium), and pine (Pinus merkusii), were impregnated with MMA, and samples of untreated and imidacloprid-preserved wood were prepared for comparison purposes. Small stakes, sized 0.8 cm by 2 cm in cross section by 20 cm in the longitudinal direction, were inserted into the ground for 3 months, and the weight loss of each specimen was determined at the end of the test period. A factorial $4{\times}3$ completely randomized design was used for data analysis; the first factor was wood species, and the second factor was treatment. The results showed that MMA polymer loadings were 27.88%, 24.91%, 14.14%, and 17.81% for sengon, jabon, mangium, and pine, respectively, and amounts of imidacloprid retention were $7.56kg/m^3$, $5.98kg/m^3$, $5.34kg/m^3$, and $9.53kg/m^3$, respectively. According to an analysis of variance, wood species, treatment, and interaction of both factors significantly affected the weight loss of wood specimens. Mangium had the smallest weight loss, followed by pine, sengon, and jabon. MMA impregnation into the wood increased the resistance of wood samples to subterranean termite attack during in-ground testing, but the resistance level was lower than that of imidacloprid-preserved wood. Except for mangium wood, the MMA treatment did not significantly affect resistance.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.225-232
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• 2020

Chemical modification of wood is an effective method to enhance the biological durability of wood with no toxic effect on the environment. In this study, wood of Triplochiton scleroxylon was modified using acetylation techniques. A total of one hundred wood blocks, (each 20×20×60 mm) obtained from a 22-year old T. scleroxylon tree were conditioned and acetylated at 120℃ in a bioreactor containing acetic anhydride for 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 minutes. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood was determined. The untreated (control) and treated blocks were exposed to Pleurotus ostreatus (white rot fungus) and Fibroporia vaillanti (brown rot fungus) after which moisture content (MC) and weight loss (WL) was monitored for 16 weeks. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 level of significance. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood samples increased with time from 10.4% (60 minutes) to 22.7% (300 minutes). MC of untreated blocks inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus was significantly higher than those of Fibroporia vaillantii after 16 weeks exposure. There was no significant difference in the MC of the of the acetylated samples for the two fungi after 300 minutes reaction time. The WL of untreated blocks inoculated with Fibroporia vaillantii was higher than those of Pleurotus ostreatus, however, the two fungi showed no significant difference in the WL for the acetylated samples after 16 weeks exposure. Acetylation prevents moisture absorption and inhibition of fungi growth in acetylated wood compared to untreated wood, thereby enhancing the durability of Triplochiton scleroxylon.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.890-896
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• 2016

Paulownia tomentosa is one of fast-growing wood species in Korea. In order to evaluate the solid bioenergy properties of Paulownia tree, this study examined the heating value, moisture content (MC), pH and proximate analysis of stem, branch, root, bark and leaf. The heating values of wood parts were slightly higher than those of bark and leaf, and that of branch was the highest among all the samples. The higher moisture content of bark and leaf referred to their lower heating value. Also, the pH of stem, branch and root was similar and lower than those of bark and leaf. The ash content of bark and leaf was much higher than that of wood parts, which is the one of the reasons for effect on the lower heating value and higher pH. While, the volatile matter content (VMC) of bark and leaf was lower than those of wood parts. The bark showed the highest fixed carbon content (FCC), while the FCC of stem was the lowest among all the samples. The obtained results are encouraging that the Paulownia tree could be totally utilized as alternative fuels for bioenergy production.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.283-290
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• 2020

For visual inspection-based wood identification, optical microscopy techniques typically require a relatively large sample size, and a scanning electron microscope requires a clean surface. These novel techniques experience limitations for objects with highly limited sampling capabilities such as important and registered wooden cultural properties. Synchrotron X-ray microtomography (SR-µCT) has been suggested as an effective alternative to avoid such limitations and various other imaging issues. In this study, four pieces of wood fragments from wooden members used in the Manseru pavilion of Bongjeongsa temple in Andong, Korea, wereused for identification. Three-dimensional microstructural images were reconstructed from these small wood samples using SR-µCT at SPring-8. From the analysis of the reconstructed images, the samples were identified as Zelkova serrata, Quercus sect. Cerris, and Pinus koraiensis. The images displayed sufficient spatial resolution to clearly observe the anatomical features of each species. In addition, the three-dimensional imaging allowed unlimited image processing.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2020

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) is a fast-growing wood species that is widely utilized for light construction and other purposes in Indonesia. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of monoethylene glycol (MEG) and SiO₂ nanoparticles (nano SiO₂) impregnation treatment on the dimensional stability and density of jabon wood and to identify the characteristics of impregnated jabon wood. Wood samples were immersed in water (as untreated), MEG, 0.5% MEGSiO₂, then impregnated by applying 0.5 bar of vacuum for 60 min, and then applying 2.5 bar of pressure for 120 min. The results showed that impregnation with MEG and Nano SiO₂ had a significant effect on the dimensional stability of jabon wood. Polymers can fill cell walls in wood indicated by increasing weight percentgain, antiswelling efficiency, bulking effect, and density, then decreasing in water uptake value. Jabon wood morphology by using SEM showed that MEGSiO₂ polymers can cover part of the pitsin the wood vessel wall of jabon. This finding was reinforced by EDX results showing that the silicon content was increased due to the addition of SiO₂ nano. The XRD diffraction pattern indicated that MEGSiO₂ treatment increased the degree of crystallinity in wood samples. Overall, treatment with 0.5% MEGSiO₂ led to the most improvement in the dimensional stability of 5-year-old jabon wood in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.13-18
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• 1994

Sapwood samples of pitch pine were treated with disodium octaborate alone by dip-diffusion, or in combination with water-repellent preservative(WRP) and methyl metacrylate(MMA). Treated samples were subjected to an accelerated leaching test for determining the improvement of leaching resistance and to soft rot and mold tests for evaluating the increase in bioefficacy, due to the addition of WRP and MMA applied as a second treatment. The addition of WRP and MMA retarded leaching of boron to some extent from treated samples and this retardation can be explained by improved water repellency of WRP and MMA treated samples. Borate /WRP and borate /MMA systems will not qualify borate treated wood for ground and fresh water contact use but may improve performance of borate treated wood in above-ground applications not subjected to continuous wetting conditions. Bioefficacy against soft rot fungi and mold fungi was improved by a second treatment with WRP. However, improvement in the performance of borate /MMA systems was not observed. Considering improvement in both resistance of leaching and bioefficacy against micro fungi by the treatment of WRP and MMA, simultaneously, the dual treatment of borate treated wood by MMA containing co-biocides might be believed as an ideal treatment system.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.591-607
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• 2020

This study was aimed to investigate the changes of chemical composition of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from red pine needles in the process of needle abscission or senescence. The VOCs in intact, senescent, and litter red pine needle samples were analyzed by headspace-solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). And then, multivariate statistical interpretation of the processed data sets was conducted to investigate similarities and dissimilarities of the needle samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to investigate the dataset structure and discrimination between samples, respectively. From the data preview, the levels of major components of VOCs from needles were not significantly different between needle samples. By PCA investigation, the data reduction according to classification based on the chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b (Ca/Cb) ratio were found to be ideal for differentiating intact, senescent, and litter needles. The following OPLS-DA taking Ca/Cb ratio as y-variables showed that needle samples were well grouped on score plot and had the significant discriminant compounds, respectively. Several compounds had significantly correlated with Ca/Cb ratio in a bivariate correlation analysis. Notably, the litter needles had a higher content of oxidized compounds than the intact needles. In summary, we found that chemical compositions of VOCs between intact, senescent, and litter needles are different each other and several compounds reflect characteristic of needle.