Thesis
Chemical, physical, and viscoelastic properties of hotpressed hybrid poplar
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100840
Abstract
Interest in finding an alternative resource for wood-based composites has been largely influenced by the depletion of forest areas and by unstable prices for forestry products. Hybrid poplar, a fast-growing hardwood, has emerged as an important plantation tree for phytoremediation and bioenergy, and may serve as an alternative source for wood-based composites. The impacts of hotpressing on wood's viscoelastic properties, which are critical to mat consolidation, are not known. This study 1) explores the impact of wood moisture content, hotpressing temperature, and changes in wood's physical, chemical, and viscoelastic properties during hotpressing, and 2) determines the relationship between these changes. A correlation was found between stiffness, specific gravity, and cellulose crystallinity of hotpressed hybrid poplar evaluated in dry conditions. Under ethylene glycol-plasticized conditions, a relationship was found between solvent uptake, lignin thermal softening, and intermolecular coupling. This study has provided a better understanding of how moisture content and pressing temperature during hotpressing can impact the physical, chemical, and viscoelastic properties of hybrid poplar wood. Results can be extended to breeding programs for the selection of amendable wood characteristics for composite manufacture.
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Details
- Title
- Chemical, physical, and viscoelastic properties of hotpressed hybrid poplar
- Creators
- Isabela Reiniati
- Contributors
- Marie-Pierre Laborie (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525145901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis