Mechanical and physical properties of wood fiber-reinforced, sulfur-based wood composites

Abstract

Sulfur-based composite was made from sulfur impregnated, oven dried, wet-formed fiber mats. The fiber mats consisted of a 50/50 mixture of recycled newsprint pulp and mechanical hardwood pulp from several species made from chips in a laboratory refiner. The thickness of the composites was 0.125 inch and the specific gravity of the unimpregnated fiber mat was 0.2. The average MOR of the sulfur-based composites is in the order of the MOR of particleboard that contains more than three times as much fiber per unit volume (i.e., specific gravity of 0.65). The high MOE of the sulfur-based composites, nearly four times greater than that of particleboard, is most impressive. After the 24-hour soak test, the composites retained 64 percent of MOR and 28 percent of MOE. They swelled significantly less in thickness as compared to most wood composites and expanded significantly more in length. The only species used to make the composite that appeared to be consistently superior in mechanical properties was sweetgum. The lack of permeability of white oak might also have accounted for its good show in its wet MOR and MOE. A conceptual understanding of the high strength properties of the sulfur-based composites is presented

Citation

Hse, Chung-Yun; Bryant, Ben S. 1993. Mechanical and physical properties of wood fiber-reinforced, sulfur-based wood composites. In: Hse, Chung-Yun; Branham, Susan J.; Chou, Chun, eds. Adhesive technology and bonded tropical wood products. Taiwan, China: Taiwan Forestry Research Institute: 572-580.