Abstract
Name: Ferry Bongers
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The use of wood in fresh water and marine service represents the greatest challenge since traditional preservative treatments are so limited. Chemical modifications such as acetylation offer a potential alternative. In this paper, Ferry Bongers from the Accys Group presents the results of extended field trials.
Name: Barend T Lotter
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OSB can swell when it absorbs water. Traditional aqueous water repellents cause surface roughness and solvent systems are not environmentally acceptable. Barend Lotter at the University of British Columbia has investigated applying hot melt waxes and shows that there is cost effective potential for this approach.
Name: Mario Núñez Decap
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Research continues to develop formaldehyde free wood adhesives. So far, water resistance is limited, but Mario Núñez Decap in Chile proposed using yeast derived proteins reinforced with synthetic resins. Encouraging results show that this could compete with urea formaldehyde adhesives.
Book Author Name: Joanna Foat
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Review Author Name: Nick Robinson
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Dr Nick Robinson reviews a new book on the part played by the women of the land army who specialised in getting maximum output from UK forests during WW2. His review stresses the value of gathering experiences from the remaining ‘Lumberjills’. Anyone who has handled freshly felled trees will understand the strength required to casually carry logs on the shoulder (as depicted on the cover photo).
Name: Trisna Priadi
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Teak is the world's wonder wood and since traditional supplies from Myanmar and Thailand are so limited, it has been grown in short rotation plantations around the world. However, the performance of plantation materials is not so good. Therefore Dr Trisna Priadi at the Bogor Institute, Indonesia has investigated the potential for using heat treatments to enhance colour and stability and has had positive results.
