Moisture influence on solid wood bonded with modified starch

Abstract

Moisture influence on solid wood bonded with modified starch. A growing and developing population is contributing to the ever-increasing global warming, which is caused, among other things, by the heavy use of chemicals. Most of them are crude oil-based, which is a non-renewable source. That is why the population tries to find organic substitutes in every area, even in the wood industry. Here, the most common and popular binders - amine resins, are subjected in research to partial or full replacement by more natural binders, non-formaldehyde, made of renewable raw materials, preferably plant-based. In this project, the studies were carried out on the possibility of starch-based glue application in wood bonding and its effect on glued birch wood (Betula L.) under various environmental storage conditions of bonded samples. The results show, that the samples at room temperature and normal humidity, as well as another – additionally dried, have a very similar shear strength. In-wood damages, on the other hand, are much more varied. The research also included moistened samples, which gave poorer results. Based on the results, it can be concluded, that modified starch is a very good organic glue, that can potentially replace some chemical products in certain applications.