Key Engineering Materials Vol. 903

Abstract: Clay of the deposit Liepa is used for the production of ceramic building and finishing bricks in the factory “Lode” in Latvia. In the present work different types of these clays were investigated and “quartz effect” was determined using quartz sand as a leaning material. The substitution of quartz sand with milled E-glass fibre from Valmiera Glass was investigated and the changes in the magnitude of the quartz inversion effect were analysed. Thermal expansion was the main method for the determination of possible formation of cracks during technological process. Powder of milled glass fibre in amount of 5–10 % affects such properties as water uptake, porosity and apparent density and provides the required material properties at a lower firing temperature.

Abstract: Lately concrete has been used not only as backbone of structure but as esthetic construction art. The challenge is to combine these two parameters and predict concrete behavior. The target of this paper is to successfully develop easily controllable, visually attractive concrete that provides with necessary compressive strength criteria. Two mix designs with Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ pigments were tested for 1, 3, 7, 14, 28-day compressive strength. Concrete samples were left indoors and outdoors to investigate migration of salts also called as efflorescence. Concrete mix designs without pigment additive showed higher compressive strength as well as density compering to pigmented concrete. Pigmented concrete outdoor specimens showed increased migration of salts on surface comparing to indoor specimens.

Abstract: Increasing energy consumption is forcing the building sector to seek and use building materials and products that would be environmentally friendly. As one such material should be noted magnesium based cements, which production requires much lower calcination temperature than the traditional Portland cement. During the experimental research part of this work, two types of magnesia cement were produced (using magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate brine solutions) and physical, mechanical properties of obtained cement composites were determined.

Abstract: This article presents the bending strength and flexural properties of the glued T-type spruce loose tenon construction joints with and without reinforced plastic clamp fitting. Construction joints are designed according to Eurocode 5. The samples are made from European spruce (Picea abies Karst.) C24 class construction material with relative wood moisture 18% and relative wood density 410 kg/m³. Samples are assembled with water/high temperature resistant polyurethane adhesive and polyvinyl acetate dispersion adhesive. The total number of samples is 48. The sample width is 95mm and thickness is 45mm. Samples were subjected to moisture, weight controls and 48h stored in the climate chamber before practical bending load test. T-type loose tenon joint construction samples with reinforced plastic clamp fittings glued with polyurethane adhesive under bending load are 2.6% stronger and 13.8% less flexural then without reinforced plastic clamp fittings. T-type loose tenon joint construction samples with reinforced plastic clamp fittings glued with polyvinyl acetate dispersion adhesive under bending load are 9.7% weaker and 20% less flexural then without reinforced plastic clamp fittings. The accuracy of the developed bending strength, deformability and elasticity modulus of the examined construction joints was verified positively by experimental studies.

Abstract: Analytical method has been developed and validated to determine free or leachable furfural concentration in wood-based panels. Particleboards obtained from birch wood and suberinic acids binder were chosen as a reference material. Two methods and two solvents were tested. Acetone extracts of the samples were analyzed with gas chromatography (GC) flame ionization detector system. Water extracts were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy (HPLC-UV) system. After the GC data in acetone extracts furfural concentration was below method limit of detection. HPLC-UV data showed that in water extracts furfural concentration was possible to determine. It was concluded that HPLC-UV is suitable and fast method for furfural determination in wood-based panels water extracts.

Abstract: The apparent shift in climate has resulted in the pursuit of environmentally friendly bio-based products to reduce the carbon footprint. In the scientific literature, there are many attempts to make phenol-formaldehyde resins (PFR) more sustainable by using bio-based phenolics in the synthesis instead of petroleum-based phenol. However, it is also important to reduce the content of formaldehyde in the binder, the vapours of which are toxic and even carcinogenic to the human body. One of the technologically simplest solutions could be the incorporation of another bio-based wood composite binder into the completed industrial PFR. In turn, birch outer bark suberinic acids are an effective, ecological, thermosetting binder to produce mechanically durable and moisture-resistant wood composites. The aim of the study was to adapt the components of birch outer bark (suberinic acids and betulin-based extractives) for their incorporation into industrial PFR and to find the optimal degree of resins replacement in practical experiments. At the same time, to keep a similar level of the bending strength and moisture resistance (shear strength) of the plywood bonded with the modified binder compared to pure industrial PFR. As a result, it was found that it was possible to replace up to 30 wt% (dry basis) of the industrial PFR with birch outer bark components to obtain birch plywood without significant loss of the bending strength and moisture resistance. In this way, it would be possible to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the synthetic PFR binder in the birch plywood industry by using birch processing residues.

Abstract: Silver birch (Betula pendula) outer bark suberin can be used as a raw material to make an adhesive for particleboards (PBs). It is a promising formaldehyde-free alternative to traditional synthetic resins. However, the adhesive is acidic, which can catalyse furfural (FUR) formation from xylans in wood particles that are used for the preparation of PBs. FUR being a volatile organic compound can be emitted from the PBs and exposure to it can have harmful effects on humans. In the scope of this study, the effects on technological parameters (wet adhesive pH: 3, 6 and 9), glycerol as an additive to adhesive and hot-pressing temperature (180...230 °C) were investigated on the FUR formation in PBs. The FUR content was determined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy system from the extracts of milled PBs. Mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, bending strength, and thickness swelling) of the PBs were also studied. When using an adhesive with a pH 6 at hot-pressing temperature 230 °C with no glycerol added, it was possible to obtain PBs that satisfied the requirements of EN 312 P2 (boards for interior fitments). The FUR yield of these boards were more than 6 times lower than for the PBs pressed at 230 °C with a wet adhesive pH value 3.