Research Articles

The abundant coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) offers an appealing alternative to meet the increasing demand for wood panels, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. However, the sclerenchymatous vascular bundle of coconut wood poses challenges for rotary peeling, and the high capital and operational costs associated with palm wood limit its practical use. Consequently, this preliminary study aimed to develop pure and hybrid coconut-sawn veneer composites (using Macaranga peltata). Veneers were bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resin in crossband orientation and hot-pressed (40 kg/cm², 135 to 140 °C, 15 min). Four types of 3-layer composites were produced: Pure medium-density coconut composite (Pure-MD), Pure high-density coconut composite (Pure-HD), coconut-Macaranga hybrid medium-density composite (Hybrid-MoD), and coconut-Macaranga hybrid high-density composite (Hybrid-HD). Physico-mechanical tests revealed that Pure-MD and Pure-HD met Indian standards (IS 303:1989), demonstrating good strength and stiffness. In contrast, high-density composites showed reduced glue adhesion. Hybrid-MD satisfied most criteria except bending stress, restricting high-load applications. Hybrid-HD failed in internal bonding and bending, limiting its utility. The study highlights the potential of pure coconut composites under optimized conditions. However, further improvements are needed for high-density and hybrid composites, focusing on adhesive type, surface modification, veneer alignment, and hot-pressing parameters.

Paper documents gradually deteriorate during long-term storage, accompanied by acidification and a decline in mechanical strength. To achieve both deacidification and mechanical strengthening, sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇) was used as a deacidification agent, and two starch products (enzymatically hydrolyzed starch, quaternary ammonium cationic starch) served as strengthening agents. The documents were treated either by simultaneous deacidification and reinforcement (one-step method), or deacidification followed by reinforcement (two-step method). The effects of different reinforcement treatments on the mechanical properties and pH of the paper were investigated. Accelerated aging tests (dry and wet aging tests) were conducted to evaluate the change of the mechanical performance of paper documents under optimal reinforcement conditions. Deacidification and reinforcement treatments improved the tensile index, tearing index, and folding endurance. The type of starch modification and the different deacidification and reinforcement processes influenced the mechanical strength. The surface pH values of paper documents only modified with different starches remained below 7.0. Accelerated aging tests on paper treated with different starches (both deacidified and reinforced) revealed that under high temperature and humidity conditions, the mechanical properties of paper documents deteriorated more severely. The treated paper exhibited varying degrees of relative improvement in tensile index, tearing index, and folding endurance.

To optimize the user experience of an e-commerce platform for old and antique hongmu furniture, this study explored the functional design and interface elements of such platforms within the context of the second-hand economy. First, through qualitative research, the general needs of users were identified. Then, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the priorities of different types of needs were ranked. After expanding the functional indicators for each type, the Kano model was used to identify the specific attributes of these indicators. Then the results were combined with the AHP study to determine the core functions that the e-commerce platform should possess. Eye-tracking (ET) technology helped to understand users’ visual preferences and identify their focus on interface layout, color, and other aspects. These findings suggest that the functional framework should include 24 features, such as expert authentication and institutional certification; in terms of interface design, multiple layout options should be provided for users to choose from, while balancing color schemes and text-to-image ratios. This study provides theoretical guidance for designing an e-commerce platform for old and antique hongmu furniture, enabling to identify user needs and enhance user satisfaction.

The level of wood consumption is important in particleboard (PB) manufacturing because wood is a natural source. This study aimed to determine the optimum wood consumption in PB manufacture. The study examined how the PB’s surface (SL) and core (CL) layer ratio and sanding tolerance affect the PB surface laminating condition. The optimal manufacturing conditions were determined among different combinations of PB density (520 or 560 kg/m³), SL/CL ratio, and sanding thickness using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used as MCDM. Samples were characterized according to TS EN 312. The moisture content (MC) increased (30%) as the SL ratio increased. Thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) generally decreased as SL increased. Increasing surface layer density and board density significantly improved internal bond (IB) strength and surface stiffness (SS). Modulus of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) decreased as the sanding tolerance increased. Surface and edge screw withdrawal (SRy and SRk) resistance were increased as the density, sanding tolerance, and surface density increased. This study is the first comprehensive optimization approach to improve quality in coating low-density particle boards with decorative paper, potentially leading to material savings and production efficiency for the furniture and coating industries.

This study addressed the problem of poor structural toughness of material extrusion-based (MEX) 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) models and expanded the application of 3D printing technology. A new structural toughness enhancement method was proposed to improve the structural toughness of MEX 3D-printed models by constructing a rigid shell-flexible infill composite structure. Rectangular specimens were designed using SolidWorks software, and the structural toughness of the rigid specimens and rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were tested using three-point bending test and Charpy impact test. The deflection, bending strain energy, and impact strength of the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were larger than those of the rigid specimens. The enhancement percentages were 103%, 306% and 293%, respectively, indicating that the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens had better structural toughness. In contrast to the conventional material modification methods, the structural toughness enhancement method proposed in this study can maintain the strength and stiffness of 3D-printed models while improving their impact resistance and ductility. The products have unique application value in the fields of smart packaging, sports protective gears, and consumer electronic products.

Aiming at the problem of corn cob damage during the operation of a longitudinal-lying roller corn harvester, based on the method of mechanical modelling, it was determined that the factors leading to cob damage are the diameter of the picking roller, the gap between the two picking rollers, the height of the helical prongs and the rotational speed, and that the main force leading to cob damage is the effect of the camming prongs on the cob. The influence of the main operating parameters on the camber force on the cob was revealed using a one- factor analysis, and the strengths and weaknesses of the influence of the gap and roller speed and camber height on the cob force were analysed using a two-factor orthogonal analysis. This study proposes a method for evaluating losses using the minimum breaking force of corn kernels and the cracking force of corn cobs and stalks as the criteria. The correctness of the loss model was verified by the method of experimental comparison, and the error of the two methods was 0.5%, which verifies the correctness of the evaluation method.

In this study, the usability of kombucha pellicles as a source of bacterial cellulose (BC) in the production of laminated wood was investigated to improve its physical properties. Within this scope, the kombucha culture was produced at room temperature through a fermentation process of approximately 25 days and then dried to obtain BC sheets with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. These sheets were used in the production of laminated wood material, along with wood species of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.), and Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), using urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, and polyvinyl acetate adhesives. To evaluate the physical properties of the manufactured samples, density, thickness swelling, and water absorption tests were performed. Furthermore, the structural and thermal properties of the BC were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The findings indicated that BC is a high-performance biomaterial for lamination. The results unveiled BC’s remarkable potential for developing eco-friendly materials, though certain technical challenges remain to be addressed before its full capabilities can be realized.

The performance of the poly(aluminum chloride) (PAC)-nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)-colloidal silica (SiO₂) system was evaluated relative to the retention and drainage of old corrugated container (OCC) pulp. In this study, OCC pulp was refined to a freeness of 370 ± 10 mL CSF, then different amounts of NFC (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) and SiO₂ (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9%) in combination with 1% PAC (constant for all treatments) were added. Finally, from these treatments, standard handsheets were made and their physical and mechanical properties were measured according to TAPPI standards. The results showed that the addition of SiO₂ and NFC in combination with 1% of PAC each separately and independently increased the burst index, tensile index, and Concora medium test (CMT), but the ring crush test (RCT) decreased. The use of different treatments containing PAC, NFC, and SiO₂ also decreased the pulp drainage time and increased their first-pass retention. Also, the use of this system resulted in less water absorption than the control treatment. The use of PAC and NFC in improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of OCC fibers can lead to higher first-pass retention, better physical and mechanical properties, while reducing the drainage time.