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Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites

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A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 16260

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pavlo Bekhta

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Department of Wood-Based Composites, Cellulose and Paper, Ukrainian National Forestry University, 79057 Lviv, Ukraine
Interests: wood science and technology; wood–polymer composites; lignocellulosic based composites; wood modification; wood bonding
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood is still used extensively across many industries, despite its disadvantages, including dimensional instability, susceptibility to biodegradation and ability to burn. One of the areas that can improve these properties, and therefore expand the scope of its application, is wood modification. Different methods of wood modification have been, and continue to be, developed. In the interest of environmental protection, more environmentally friendly modification methods using non-toxic chemicals are of great interest. Particular focus areas include thermo-mechanical modification, plasma treatment, modification with new polymers and nanomaterials, antifungal and fire-retardant modification of wood surface, etc. Another area is wood finishing, the purpose of which is to protect wood from external factors, to preserve its decorative properties or to enhance its beauty. Wood finishing is a very complex technology that plays a crucial role in providing the desired consumer properties in the finished product. New eco-friendly coating systems are offered, including coatings containing nanoparticles; bio-based additives derived from cellulose, lignin or other natural polymers; coating products with bio-protection or fire-protection effects, etc. Surface preparation is crucial for the performance of coatings and the finished product. Therefore, special emphasis in this Special Issue is also placed on the interaction among the coating and the surface of the wooden substrate, as the properties of the modified surface affect its ability to finish. However, sometimes improving some properties can make others worse. Therefore, the question remains—are there modification methods of wood surfaces that improve their properties without compromising coatability, environmental friendliness and implementation cost?

This Special Issue focuses on the latest advances on the surface modification and coatings of wood and wood composites. I invite authors to disseminate their research results in these areas by contributing to this Special Issue in the form of full research articles, communications, or reviews.

Prof. Dr. Pavlo Bekhta
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

wooden substrates (wood, wood composites)
wood modification
surface modification
plasma treatments
fire-retardant treatments
coatings of wood and wood composites
decorative coatings
surface properties
wettability and adhesion strength
interaction of coating and wooden surface
nanomaterials

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 3973 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of Intumescent Coating Containing Expandable Graphite onto Spruce Wood

by Elena Kmeťová, Danica Kačíková and František Kačík

Coatings 2024, 14(4), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14040490 - 16 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1775

Abstract

Wood, one of the materials predominantly employed in construction, possesses various advantageous properties alongside certain drawbacks, such as susceptibility to thermal degradation. To enhance wood fire resistance, one approach involves the application of flame retardants. This study compared the fire-retardant effectiveness of expandable graphite, bonded with water glass, as a coating for spruce wood against commercially available fire-retardant treatments. Spruce wood samples (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) underwent treatment with three distinct retardants: expandable graphite in combination with water glass, Bochemit Antiflash, and Bochemit Pyro. The fire-technical characteristics of the samples were examined by a non-standard test method—a test with a radiant heat source. The experiment evaluated the fire-retardant properties by recording changes in sample mass, burning rate, and temperature difference. The best results among all flame retardants were achieved by expandable graphite in combination with water glass, in all evaluation criteria. Among all the flame retardants used, expandable graphite in combination with water glass achieved the best results in all evaluation criteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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17 pages, 6534 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of CO₂ Laser Engraving on the Surface Structure and Properties of Spruce Wood

by Jozef Kúdela, Michal Andrejko and Ivan Kubovský

Coatings 2023, 13(12), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13122006 - 26 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1368

Abstract

This work appraises the influence of CO₂ laser irradiation on mass loss, morphology, chemical changes and discolouration of spruce wood surfaces. The amount of energy applied to the surface was expressed as the total irradiation dose, which was demonstrated to have a strong impact on increasing wood weight loss. Along with increasing mass loss, surface roughness also increased, resulting from the differences in density between the early wood and late wood. The evaluated roughness parameters increased linearly with increasing irradiation dose and mass loss. At the maximum irradiation dose, the Ra parameter value parallel to the fibre direction showed a 6-fold increase; perpendicular to the grain, the increase was as much as 33.5-fold. Similar differences were also observed for the parameter Rz. At the lowest laser power and the lowest raster density, the engraved spruce wood surface exhibited some evidence of discolouration (ΔE* ≅ 9). An additional increase in the amount of supplied energy clearly resulted in a novel surface colour compared to the original (ΔE* = 12). The chemical analysis of the wood surface revealed that the discolouration was mainly caused by heat-induced cleavage of C=O groups in the lignin and hemicellulose structures. Part of these structures (so-called chromophores) are responsible for the natural colour of the wood as well as for colour changes caused by engraving. The detected dependences of the wood mass loss and colour values on the total radiation dose are the basis for achieving targeted modifications of spruce wood surfaces using a laser beam. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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15 pages, 4286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Resistance Properties of Selected Surface Treatments on Medium Density Fibreboards

by Gabriela Slabejová, Zuzana Vidholdová and Ján Iždinský

Coatings 2023, 13(11), 1903; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13111903 - 6 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1576

Abstract

The protection and decorative value of raw wood-based boards with various coatings can be enhanced during the service life of furniture using surface treatment techniques. In this study, selected transparent, pigmented polyurethane email finish and thin foils, commonly used in furniture, were used for surface treatments of medium-density fibreboards with a thickness of 18 mm. Water-borne finish with polyurethane–acrylate resin, solvent-borne finish with polyacrylate resin, and finish based on native oil and waxes, as well as pigmented polyurethane email finish, were used on veneered medium-density fibreboards. The thin foils (polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and lacquered acryl film) were used for raw medium-density fibreboards. Several resistance surface properties were investigated. It was found that the hardness and resistance to impact were very much related to the interactions between the coating film or thin foil and the substrate. The type of surface finish had a substantial impact on the coating and foil’s resistance qualities, such as resistance to mould and cold liquids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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12 pages, 2290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis and Impact of Activated Carbon Incorporation into Urea-Formaldehyde Adhesive on the Properties of Particleboard

by Mehmet Emin Ergun, İsmail Özlüsoylu, Abdullah İstek and Ahmet Can

Coatings 2023, 13(9), 1476; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13091476 - 22 Aug 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1786

Abstract

Nowadays, the particleboard industry cannot meet the market’s demand. Therefore, filler materials have started to be used both to conserve raw materials and to enable the use of wood-based boards in different areas. This study investigates the effects of incorporating different ratios of activated carbon (0%, 1.5%, 4.5%, 7.5%) on the properties of particleboards. The physical properties were examined, including density, moisture content, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The results reveal that the density increased with increasing activated carbon content while the moisture content decreased, indicating improved dimensional stability and water resistance. Additionally, the color properties were influenced by activated carbon, leading to a darker appearance with decreased lightness and yellow-blue components. The mechanical properties, such as internal bond strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity, showed significant enhancements with the addition of activated carbon, indicating improved bonding and increased strength. Moreover, the thermal conductivity decreased with increasing activated carbon content and improved insulation performance. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of activated carbon within the particleboard matrix, without agglomeration, positively impacting the mechanical performance. According to the thermogravimetric analysis results, the addition of activated carbon led to a decrease of up to 6.15% in mass loss compared to the control group. The incorporation of activated carbon at a ratio of 4.5% in particleboards confers notable enhancement to their physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. These findings contribute to understanding the potential benefits and considerations of using activated carbon as an additive in particleboard production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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15 pages, 4909 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Improving the Technical Characteristics of Untreated and Heat-Treated Ayous Wood against Accelerating Ageing by Testing Two Application Modalities of an Innovative Polyurethane Coating for Outdoor Uses

by Gianluca Rubino, Angela Lo Monaco, Luca Lanteri and Claudia Pelosi

Coatings 2023, 13(8), 1312; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13081312 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1493

Abstract

This paper presents the results of tests of a new mono-component polyurethane coating for wood with the aim of evaluating its effect on Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum), which is a wood species used in Europe for various applications, especially outdoors, after being heat treated. The coating was tested on both untreated and thermally treated samples, as the latter procedure is commonly used in the wood industry to modify the material’s characteristics. Moreover, two kinds of coating application were tested: coatings applied via brushing and coatings applied via spraying; in this test, we also verified the most suitable and effective modality. Samples were investigated using the following techniques: colour measurement, roughness mapping, contact angle measurement, surface micro-hardness and the wearing test; these techniques were applied before and after a period of artificial ageing under simulated solar irradiation. Upon synthesizing the main results, we identified the following results: (i) the polyurethane coating reduced the colour variation as a result of artificial aging of the untreated Ayous wood; in contrast, heat-treated wood underwent large colour changes; (ii) the coating acted effectively as a hydrophobic agent on the surface of the wood in each case examined, though even a short aging time altered the initial wettability characteristics; and (iii) the application of the coating caused a decrease in the roughness of both untreated and heat-treated surfaces, though this trend was much more evident in the case of the spray modality of application; however, aging always induced an increase in roughness, which was mainly observed in uncoated wood samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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14 pages, 4249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Different Types of Expandable Graphite on the Thermal Resistance of Spruce Wood

by Elena Kmeťová, Danica Kačíková, Tereza Jurczyková and František Kačík

Coatings 2023, 13(7), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13071181 - 30 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1348

Abstract

In order to not limit the possibilities of using wood due to its flammability, the implementation of fire protection is an essential requirement. An integral part of the research on the fire protection of wood is the determination of the effectiveness of the applied protective means and their effect on changing its behavior under fire conditions. In this work, samples of spruce wood (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) (50 mm × 40 mm × 10 mm) were treated with an aqueous solution of sodium silicate and different types of expandable graphite flakes that were applied to the surface of the samples. The fire characteristics of the samples were studied using a non-standard test method, the radiant heat source test, which was used to determine the mass loss, burning rate, and ignition time of the test samples, and the measurement was carried out via visual recording with a thermal camera. The results of the laboratory test method showed a significant positive effect of the application of all types of expandable graphite flakes. The main insight is that a suitable wood modification using expandable graphite flakes in combination with water glass has the potential to reduce mass loss by at least 73 ± 3% and reduce the temperature rise on the surface of the sample. The lower temperature of the surface of the burning material reduces the possibility of heat transfer to the surrounding materials and thus reduces the rate of fire spread. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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23 pages, 1649 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Untreated and Surface-Treated Wooden Facades of Buildings in Sweden

by Alireza Bahrami, Angelika Hornborg, Sofia Persson, Johan Norén and Björn Bengtsson Asplin

Coatings 2023, 13(4), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13040746 - 7 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2461

Abstract

In this research, untreated and surface-treated wooden facades of buildings are investigated and compared with regard to durability, environmental impact, and cost using the document and literature studies supplemented with quantitative data. The investigation is based on the influence on the wood by external factors, either in its natural form or with a protective layer of a surface treatment. It is resulted from the study that from a durability viewpoint, it is not always advantageous to paint a wooden facade. Yakisugi, a thermal modification for wooden facades that involves burning the wood to create a protective surface layer, has shown better properties, which, in combination with a lower need for maintenance, can be considered the leading treatment for facades. From an environmental perspective, Yakisugi, like untreated wood, has demonstrated advantages compared with conventional paints. Paints often come with maintenance requirements that should be carried out correctly to avoid extensive costs. Cost is an important factor that can be decisive when users choose a surface treatment. What determines the cost is the relationship between durability and maintenance intervals. The need for the maintenance of paints leads to large financial costs during the working life of a wooden facade, which differs from Yakisugi or an untreated wooden facade that can be considered maintenance-free. In order to meet the growing environmental demands from a national level to a global scale, unconventional surface treatments for wooden facades should be promoted in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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13 pages, 1146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Thermal Catalyst on Organosilanes Treatment to Improve Durability and Stability of Canadian Wood

by Diane Schorr, Gabrielle Boivin and Rod Stirling

Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1867; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12121867 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

The demand for exterior wood siding is stagnating in North America due in part to perceptions of low durability and the need for frequent maintenance. One way to address these concerns is to modify the wood to improve its physical properties, while maintaining its appearance. In this study, white spruce was treated with organosilanes and a combination of aluminum treatments followed by a thermal treatment to improve the dimensional stability and the wood durability. Anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), leaching and decay tests were performed on the treated Canadian wood species. The quantity of hydroxyls available after treatment was evaluated by water vapor sorption. The results showed that the treatment improved the dimensional stability up to 50%. Available hydroxyls decreased by as much as 37%. The organosilanes treatment was resistant to leaching, while the aluminum was observed to leach. Organosilanes in combination with aluminum showed brown rot resistance. The addition of aluminum to the organosilanes treatment did not have effect on dimensional stability but it had a great impact on the brown rot resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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10 pages, 2140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-SiO₂-Modified Waterborne Acrylic Acid Resin Coating for Wood Wallboard

by Lujing Wu, Meiling Chen, Jing Xu, Fang Fang, Song Li and Wenkai Zhu

Coatings 2022, 12(10), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12101453 - 1 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1907

Abstract

As one of the key products of the whole wood custom home, the study of environmental protection coating technology for wood wallboard has practical significance. Waterborne acrylic acid (WAA), as an important research object of environmentally friendly coatings, has been studied mainly in the area of modification. However, there is less research on its application to the field of wood wallboard. Herein, we developed a facile strategy to prepare WAA resin coatings with excellent performance using SiO₂ nanoparticles as modifiers and explored the feasibility of wood wallboard. In this work, a simple mechanical compounding method was used to modify the WAA resin coatings by adding nano-SiO₂, aiming to improve their physicochemical properties such as hardness and abrasion resistance while maintaining gloss. It was found that nano-SiO₂ showed different effects on the viscosity, gloss, adhesion, and abrasion resistance of WAA resin coating. The combined performance results showed that the wood wallboard finishes exhibit excellent performance when the modifier nano-SiO₂ was added at 1 wt% in the WAA resin coating. This present work shows that the nano-SiO₂-modified WAA resin coating for wood wallboard has a broad application prospect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Modification and Coatings of Wood and Wood Composites)

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