Treesearch

Milled aspen wood was thermochemically modified with citric acid for the purpose of improving the copper (Cu2+) ion sorption capacity of the wood when tested in 24-hour equilibrium batch tests. The wood-citric acid adducts provided additional carboxyl groups to those in the native wood and substantially increased Cu2+ ion uptake of the modified wood compared with that of the unmodified wood. Sorption capacity (qe) measured with an unbuffered standard solution increased to a maximum of 7.9 mg Cu2+ ion/g of wood (treated) from 1.3 mg Cu2+ ion/ g wood (untreated). When measured with a...

Although sapwood of pine species is generally considered to be readily treated with preservatives, penetration is sometimes variable. The cause of this variability is poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of geographic source, method of drying, and treatment parameters on penetration of a preservative in red pine lumber. Lumber from Wisconsin and Michigan was air or kiln dried and then conditioned to uniform equilibrium moisture content. Matched specimens were then treated with schedules that varied in intensity of vacuum and pressure periods. The results indicate that...

This paper investigates the penetration of three common contaminants into building grade southern yellow pine wood samples under the conditions experienced during chemical spills. Contaminants (n-hexadecane, naphthalene, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene) were applied in their 14C-labeled forms to 5-to 9-cm-long pieces of southern yellow pine at ambient conditions. The impact of the following parameters on diffusivity was investigated: contaminant volatility and solubility in water, penetration direction compared to wood grain structure, and water saturation of wood under conditions characteristic of...

A spreadsheet-based computer program called LamLum was created to analyze the economics of value- added laminated lumber manufacturing facilities. Such facilities manufacture laminations, typically from lower grades of structural lumber, then glue these laminations together to make various types of higher value laminated lumber products. This report provides the documentation for LamLum. LamLum may be downloaded from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, website (www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fpl_gtr165/fpl_gtr165.html). Extensive screenshots from the program are...

X-ray diffraction techniques have the potential to decrease the time required to determine microfibril angles dramatically. In this paper, we discuss the latest version of a curve-fitting toll that permits us to reduce the time required to evaluate MFA X-ray diffraction patterns. Further, because this tool reflects the underlying physics more accurately than existing tools, we expect it to yield more accurate estimates of MFA.

This paper provides an overview of the North American (United States and Canada) structural panel industry, which consists of softwood plywood and oriented strandboard (OSB). The paper describes the evolution of overall capacities, effective capacity utilization, and manufacturing costs. As part of that, it describes changes in industry operating parameters such as wood use and yield, employee productivity, adhesives usage, and energy consumption. The major end-use markets for these commodities and market share trends are described as they evolved over time. Trends in foreign trade are...

Wood is used extensively for both interior and exterior applications in the construction of a variety of structures (residential, agricultural, commercial, government, religious). The deterioration of an in-service wood member may result from a variety of causes during the life of a structure. It is important, therefore, to periodically assess the condition of wood used in structures to determine the extent of deterioration so that degraded members may be replaced or repaired to avoid structural failure. An assessment is especially critical for building officials in municipalities affected...

The ability of forest products research programs to contribute to a nation’s well-being requires that research organizations be well organized, effectively managed, and held to high standards of performance. In 2004-2005, a review of forest products and related research organizations beyond the boundaries of the United States was carried out. The intent was to obtain a better understanding of how such organizations are structured, administered and their performance judged. Ninety-three research organizations were initially identified for consideration by the review, 40 of which were chosen...

Several analyses have shown that fire hazard is a concern for substantial areas of forestland, shrubland, grassland, and range in the western United States. In response, broadscale management strategies, such as the National Fire Plan, established actions to reduce the threat of undesirable fire. Available budgets are insufficient to pay for vegetative management on all acres where fire threat is considered unacceptable. The purpose of this report is to begin to identify locations in the west where fire hazard reduction treatments have a potential to “pay for themselves” at a scale and...

This report documents a technical assistance trip to four community-owned forests and associated sawmill and secondary processing operations in the vicinities of Durango and Oaxaca, Mexico. The products and processes of these enterprises are described, and recommendations for improvement are provided.