Dimensional Stabilization of Engineered Wood Floor Using Linseed Oil and Paraffin Wax Impregnation

Engineered wood flooring comprises three or more layers of wood veneer adhered together to create a plank. The surfaces were coated to scale back water absorption. However, as wood is a hygroscopic substance, it loses and gains moisture from the atmosphere. This affects the dimensional stability of the floor badly, which emanates wide gaps between boards, cupped edges, crowning edges, and bulking of boards. Hence, the main intention of this study was to stabilize the engineered wood flooring by filling the wood cavity with linseed oil, paraffin wax, and a mixture of both, and evaluate the physical, mechanical property of treated and non-treated engineered wood flooring boards. The treatments were conducted at different temperature and durations. Keywords: Dimensional stabilization, Wood modification, Wood floor, Linseed oil, Paraffin wax, Impregnation

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Metal-Containing Ultraviolet-Cured Wood Floor Coatings

In our previous report, the antibacterial agents with different metals, mono(hydroxyethoxyethyl)phthalate [M(HEEP)2, M = Zn, Mn, and Ca], were synthesized. For increasing their yields, modified synthesis and purified processes were further investigated. The result of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the M(HEEP)2 could be stable and successfully synthesized, and their yields were raised to 73–85% from our previous report of 43–55%. For ultraviolet-cured wood floor coating application, the Zn(HEEP)2 was selected as an antibacterial agent and mixed with commercial UV wood floor coating. The effects on the antibacterial activity of UV films with different Zn(HEEP)2 additions of 0, 4, 8, and 12 phr as well as the commercial nano-Ag of 12 phr against Escherichia coli were evaluated. In the static antibacterial test, the UV films with Zn(HEEP)2 additions had similar antibacterial activity of 57–59%. In another dynamic shaking antibacterial test, the film containing 12 phr Zn(HEEP)2 had the best antibacterial activity among all the UV films. On the film properties, the Zn(HEEP)2-containing UV films had lower gloss and abrasion resistance, and slightly increased the hardness than those of UV film without Zn(HEEP)2 addition. However, there were no noticeable differences in mass retention, lightfastness, and thermal stability between UV films with and without the Zn(HEEP)2 addition. In this study, the 12 phr Zn(HEEP)2-containing UV film provided the best antibacterial activity against E. coli and had the balanced film properties for application on the UV wood floor coating.

Estimation of Coating Materials Contribution to the TVOCs Emissions of Wood Flooring in Indoor Environment

Based on the increasing concern about the exposure to volatile organic compounds () from indoor finishing materials, industrial companies are called to meet the growing demand for more sustainable products. Recently, most designers and consumers have more environmental considerations while selecting the finishing materials. These considerations are related to thecontent of the finishing material itself regardless of its coating layers. Nowadays, interior wood coatings are commonly applied to large surfaces (ceilings, walls, floors) and many types of furnishing, leading to a high loading factor (surface-to-volume ratio). These coatings might contribute significantly to theemissions due to repeatedly and periodically use during maintenance, remodeling, and renovation of interior spaces.The aim of this study is to estimate the wood coating materials contribution to theemissions of wood product in the indoor environment to shed light on the importance of comprehensive analysis of wood material with all treatment coatings. So, a small interior space with controlled temperature, relative humidity, and air exchange rate was simulated using IA-Quest program to investigate the influence of three wood coating materials; stain, wax, and varnish which were applied to an area of natural hardwood Oak floor. Theemission data resulted from the different coated wood floor was compared withemissions caused by the natural wood floor to find out the coating material contribution inemissions of a wood flooring material.

Wood-based support material for extrusion-based digital construction

Purpose Extrusion-based digital construction (DC) approaches make it feasible to overcome constraints of conventional construction, namely, high formwork costs, long total construction times, low productivity and geometrical inflexibility. However, to date, no satisfactory solutions for extruding strongly inclined and horizontal elements are available. A wood-starch-composite has been systematically developed as a sustainable support material (SM) for extrusion-based DC. Design/methodology/approach Material and process-specific requirements were identified for this purpose, and a feasible process chain was developed. A parametric study was conducted to determine the influence of SM composition on its extrusion feasibility and compressive strength. Various compositions with two starch types and two wood particle shapes were tested. New, specific testing methods were developed. Selected compositions were tested using a 3D-printing device to verify extrudability and form stability. Findings Relationships between material compositions of SM and its rheological and mechanical properties were identified. All mixtures showed sufficient compressive strength in respect of the loading conditions analysed. However, their flow properties varied significantly. A mixture of native maize starch and wood floor was identified as the best variant (compressive strength 2.3 MPa). Research limitations/implications Comprehensive investigations of possible process chains, as well as full-scale demonstration and optimisation of the process parameters, were not in the scope of this paper. Such investigations are intended in further studies. Practical implications The general applicability of wood-based SM for DC with cement-based construction materials was proved. Originality/value The findings offer a novel and promising solution for 3D-printing of non-vertical concrete elements. Experimental setup and material compositions are detailed to ensure reproducibility.

Ketahanan Papan Partikel Terhadap Suhu Tinggi, Serapan Air dan Perilaku Patah

Wood is widely used for structural and non-structural purposes. In non-structural purpose, wood is used, among others, as furniture, parquet (wood floor), partitions and so on. In line with the decreasing availability of wood, the price of wood is becoming increasingly expensive. In certain uses, substitute materials such as particle boards have been started to use. Particle boards are generally composed of certain wood powder wastes. This study aimed to look for alternative materials for building particle boards from coconut shells. The particle boards to be tested were composed of coconut shells with the addition of certain wood powder which is added with certain percentage. Particle boards were printed with a certain size, given certain pressure and tested for their physical properties. The physical properties of the particle boards tested included particle density, water absorption, dry flexural modulus, and dry bending fracture modulus. The results showed that the best mixture composition capable of producing density values, water absorption, fracture modulus and optimum modulus of elasticity were found in the proportion of mixtures of 70-90% coconut shell particles and 30-10% wood particles.

GREEN SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED FROM TECTONA GRANDIS WOOD FLOUR

Objective: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as an antimicrobial agent. Due to the toxicity concerns related to the synthesis of the AgNPs, there is an urgent need of the novel green techniques to synthesis the AgNPs. In the light of the above, we had synthesized the AgNPs with the help of the Tectona grandis commonly known as teak wood.Methods: The aqueous wood floor extract of the T. grandis was used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of the AgNPs. The NPs were synthesized and characterized using different techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized NPs were then evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy against the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and antifungal activity. Further, in vitro antioxidant efficacy of the AgNPs was calculated using 2,2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic) acid and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay.Results: From the above analyses, the formation of spherical NPs with an average size of 100 nm was confirmed. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal biocidal concentration (MBC) of the AgNPs were calculated, MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.50 to 1.8 μg/mL and 0.91 to 3.6 μg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: The prepared NPs were found to be uniform in size with smooth topography. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of the NPs was found to be effective on the broad spectrum of microbes. The antioxidant activity of AgNPs was comparable to ascorbic acid.

GREEN SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED FROM TECTONA GRANDIS WOOD FLOUR

Objective: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as an antimicrobial agent. Due to the toxicity concerns related to the synthesis of the AgNPs, there is an urgent need of the novel green techniques to synthesis the AgNPs. In the light of the above, we had synthesized the AgNPs with the help of the Tectona grandis commonly known as teak wood.Methods: The aqueous wood floor extract of the T. grandis was used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of the AgNPs. The NPs were synthesized and characterized using different techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized NPs were then evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy against the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and antifungal activity. Further, in vitro antioxidant efficacy of the AgNPs was calculated using 2,2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic) acid and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay.Results: From the above analyses, the formation of spherical NPs with an average size of 100 nm was confirmed. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal biocidal concentration (MBC) of the AgNPs were calculated, MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.50 to 1.8 μg/mL and 0.91 to 3.6 μg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: The prepared NPs were found to be uniform in size with smooth topography. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of the NPs was found to be effective on the broad spectrum of microbes. The antioxidant activity of AgNPs was comparable to ascorbic acid.