A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

A method of producing a wood-based material that is modified is provided. Specifically, there is provided a method of producing a wood-based material, comprising 1) a step of impregnating a wood-based material with a furan derivative resinification solution that comprises a furan derivative, an inorganic salt inhibiting polymerization of the furan derivative at normal temperature, and an inorganic salt accelerating polymerization of the furan derivative; and 2) a step of polymerizing the furan derivative in the furan derivative resinification solution impregnated into the wood-based material within the wood-based material by means of heating.

A method of producing a wood-based material that is modified is provided. Specifically, there is provided a method of producing a wood-based material, comprising 1) a step of impregnating a wood-based material with a furan derivative resinification solution that comprises a furan derivative, an inorganic salt inhibiting polymerization of the furan derivative at normal temperature, and an inorganic salt accelerating polymerization of the furan derivative; and 2) a step of polymerizing the furan derivative in the furan derivative resinification solution impregnated into the wood-based material within the wood-based material by means of heating.

A synergistic aqueous wood preservative composition comprising a copper compound and penflufen. The copper compounds of the compositions of the invention may be soluble, partially solubilized or micronized particles. The penflufen of the compositions of the invention may be solubilized, emulsified or particulate. The wood preservative compositions of the present invention are surprisingly provided as stable dispersions and confer surprising and unexpected resistance to treated wood and wood products.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

A wood treatment method for reducing fungal growth utilizes a treatment solution comprising an aldehyde, a carrier solvent, an organic co-solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one acid, base, or salt. In embodiments, the carrier solvent may comprise water and the organic co-solvent may comprise an alcohol or acetone. The aldehyde is impregnated into the wood, where it reacts with thiamine and other amino acids to promote cross-linking, reducing the porosity of the wood and thereby reducing the ability of various microbes and fungi to access the interior of the wood as a nutrient source.

Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a veneer surface. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. In one embodiment, the veneer is then provided to an improved veneer stacking system that produces more consistently graded veneer stacks and safer veneer stacks, is less expensive to operate, and is far safer than currently available methods and systems for full veneer sheet, veneer strip, and partial veneer sheet stacking.