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Öğe ANATOMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THERMALLY COMPRESSED WOOD PANELS(North Carolina State Univ Dept Wood & Paper Sci, 2010) Doğu, Dilek; Tırak, Kamile; Candan, Zeki; Ünsal, ÖnerEffects of temperature and press pressure on the anatomical structure of solid-wood panels produced by using Pinus sylvestris L. (Scotch pine) wood were evaluated. Solid wood panels with dimensions of 250 by 500 by 18 mm were hot-pressed using a laboratory hot press at a temperature of either 120 degrees C or 150 degrees C and pressure of either 5 or 7 MPa for 1 h. Microscopic investigations conducted by Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the highest deformation occurred in earlywood regions of all growth rings for each process condition and the distribution of deformation was not uniform in growth rings. Cell-wall thickness was observed to be an important factor in wood behavior during thermal compressing processes. The results showed clearly that the impact of pressure in wood structure is promoted by increased temperature. Significant densification was observed at the maximum temperature and maximum pressure condition employed in the study, and almost all earlywood layers showed cell collapse. The study revealed that a homogenous structure of growth rings with the uniform earlywood and latewood widths throughout the wood samples plays a major role in prevention of cell collapse. The results indicated that both process conditions and anatomical structure of the wood have an interaction.Öğe Application of Electrostatic Powder Coating on Wood Composite Panels Using a Cooling Method. Part 1: Investigation of Water Intake, Abrasion, Scratch Resistance, and Adhesion Strength(North Carolina State Univ Dept Wood & Paper Sci, 2019) Akkuş, Memiş; Akbulut, Turgay; Candan, ZekiPowder coating is environmentally friendly and safe in terms of human health and is used especially on home appliances and in the automotive sector. Because of these advantages, recent studies have expanded work on the application of powder coating on non-conductive surfaces. Within the scope of this research, low temperature curing (120 degrees C to 130 degrees C) was applied on wood-based composite panels of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and plywood to facilitate conductivity. Epoxy, polyester, and hybrid (epoxy-polyester) types of powder paint and water-based liquid paint (control group) were applied to the surface of materials. Panels coated with the powder coatings were compared to the panels coated with the water-soluble acrylic resin coating. The prepared samples were analyzed for performance properties. The best results for thickness swelling, water absorption, adhesive strength, abrasion, and scratch resistance were found for the plywood coated with water-based liquid paint, MDF coated with polyester-based powder paint, plywood coated with hybrid powder paint, particleboard coated with hybrid powder paint, and plywood coated with epoxy powder paint, respectively.Öğe Biofilms from micro/nanocellulose of NaBH4-modified kraft pulp(Indian Acad Sciences, 2017) Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Poyraz, Bayram; Candan, Zeki; Yavuz, Mustafa; Arslan, RecaiIndustrial applications of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) have been in use for some time; however, there is a need to improve the production steps and at the same time to obtain better quality products. NFC and MFC were generated from -modified kraft pulp, produced from a red gum tree plant (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The generated NFC and MFC were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and -nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Morphological and viscoelastic properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and rheometry, respectively. The storage moduli of biofilms produced from NFC and MFC were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Both exhibited mostly identical FTIR spectra. When the spectra were compared with those of -modified kraft pulp, minor shifts were observed due to crystallinity. In NMR spectra, disordered cellulose structures were observed for both NFC and MFC, and these findings were also confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. Rheology studies revealed that the lowest viscosity was observed with MFC. TGA results showed that NFC degraded earlier compared with -modified kraft pulp. DMTA exhibited that NFC films had about six times higher storage modulus compared with MFC.Öğe DEVELOPING NANOCELLULOSE-BASED BIOFILMS FROM KRAFT AND NaBH4 - MODIFIED KRAFT PULP(Editura Acad Romane, 2018) Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Poyraz, Bayram; Mcdonald, Armando G.; Candan, ZekiIn this study, both kraft pulp and NaBH4-modified kraft pulp produced from the red gum tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) were used to generate nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) and microfibrillated cellulose (CMF). These were then characterized by HPLC, FTIR, DSC and C-13-NMR. Morphological and viscoelastic properties were investigated via SEM and rheometry, respectively. The storage moduli of the biofilms produced from the CNFs were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Some minor shifts were observed in the 13C-NMR for the CMF and CNF obtained from NaBH4-modified kraft pulp. The CMF and CNF obtained from kraft pulp revealed higher thermal stability due to higher crystallinity. Higher dynamic mechanical properties were seen in the CNF film obtained from kraft pulp and the results were useful in ascertaining its potential application value.Öğe Effect of thermal modification by hot pressing on performance properties of paulownia wood boards(Elsevier Science Bv, 2013) Candan, Zeki; Korkut, Süleyman; Ünsal, ÖnerThe goal of this study was to investigate the effects of thermal modification by hot-pressing on the performance properties of paulownia wood boards. The boards were thermally modified by hot-pressing method under different pressure and temperature levels. As two boards for each modification group plus two for unmodified, totally 10 experimental wood boards were prepared in this study. Main density, vertical density profile (VDP), thickness swell (TS), water absorption (WA), moisture content (MC), and hardness tests were carried out to evaluate the performance properties of the thermally modified or unmodified wood boards. The results obtained in this study indicated that surface density of the boards increased with increasing press pressure. The thermal modification negatively affected the TS and WA values of the boards. Hardness values of the wood boards were significantly improved by the thermal modification. The results of this research revealed that the thermally compressing method could be used to improve end-use properties of low-density wood materials made from fast-growing tree species such as paulownia, poplar, eucalyptus etc. Thus low-value wood materials could be converted to value-added products. In addition, sustainable management of natural resources could be achieved by using the thermal modification method. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Öğe EFFECTS OF THERMAL MODIFICATION ON SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF OSB PANELS(Slovak Forest Products Research Inst, 2010) Ünsal, Öner; Candan, Zeki; Büyüksarı, Ümit; Korkut, Süleyman; Babiak, MarianThermal modification is an effective process to improve dimensional stability of wood and wood composite panels. Wettability of wood based panels is also an important issue and has been affected from heat treatment process. In this study oriented strandboard (OSB) panels were subjected thermal modification process. Wettability and surface roughness properties of the panels were evaluated. The results obtained in this study showed that the thermal modification process improved surface roughness parameters of all the treated panels compared to untreated control panels. The contact angle (CA) values of the treated panels were clearly higher than the untreated panels. The thermally treated panels had a poorer wettability property when compared to the untreated panels. The panels having smoother surface had greater CA values.Öğe EXAMINING THE EFFICIENCY OF MECHANIC/ENZYMATIC PRETREATMENTS IN MICRO/NANOFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE PRODUCTION(Univ Bio-Bio, 2018) Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Poyraz, Bayram; Candan, ZekiThere is still a need to improve the production sequences of micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses to obtain more economic and better quality products. The aim of this study was to improve the production efficiency and quality of micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses by examining the enzyme (xylanase endo-1,4-) employed in pretreatment sequences. Fairly homogeneous nano fibrillated cellulose with a width of 35 +/- 12 nm was produced in this study. Sequences employed to produce micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses decreased the cellulose crystallinity of bleached kraft pulp and lower total crystalline index and lateral order index values were observed for micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses in FTIR examinations. Lower crystallinities were also defined by C-13-NMR (46,2 ppm) which was substantiated with C6 peaks in the amorphous domain. Sequences to produce micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses resulted in shorter fiber dimensions with less ordered cellulose structure leading lower thermal degradation that reveal main polymer chain source from cellulose units. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results showed that the initial and maximum storage modulus of the nano fibrillated and micro fibrillated celluloses films were improved by 114% and 101%, respectively. The storage modulus of micro fibrillated and nano fibrillated celluloses films were 4,96 GPa and 2,66 GPa at temperature of 235 degrees C, respectively.Öğe Forest Resources and Sawmill Structure of Kosovo: State of the Art and Perspectives(Zagreb Univ, Fac Forestry, 2014) Bajraktari, Agron; Petutschnigg, Alexander; Ymeri, Muhamet; Candan, Zeki; Korkut, Süleyman; Nunes, Lina; Pereira, HelenaKosovo, located in the heart of the Balkans, was formerly a part of Yugoslavia. The breakup of Yugoslavia led not only to the creation of new countries and borders; it also had a huge impact on the transportation and availability of raw materials and goods. Kosovo's forest products industry has been greatly affected by the country's current political and legal environment. The creation of new boundaries, combined with trade constraints between Kosovo and some neighboring countries, has changed the amount and type of available wood raw material. Although the forest products industry is a very important part of Kosovo's economy, this change in distribution has had a negative impact on the sawmill structure of the country. To better understand the current state of Kosovo's forest products sector, data was collected through a survey of all sawmills in Kosovo and through information gathered from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo. In this paper, the forest resources and sawmill structure of Kosovo are analyzed and the availability of different species of wood in different regions of the country is presented. Based on these findings, recommendations are provided for further development of the forest and sawmill industry.Öğe Formaldehyde emission, combustion behavior, and artificial weathering characteristics of electrostatic powder coated wood composite panels(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2021) Akkus, Memis; Akbulut, Turgay; Candan, ZekiRecently, research and development works have expanded to include the application of electrostatic powder coatings on non-conductive materials such as plastic, wood, and wood-based composite panels. Within the scope of this research, low temperature curing (120-130 degrees C) was applied to wood-based composite panels of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and plywood panels to facilitate conductivity. Epoxy, polyester, and hybrid (epoxy-polyester) types of powder coating and waterborne acrylic liquid coating were applied to the surface of the materials. The panels coated with the powder coatings were compared to the panels coated with the waterborne acrylic resin coating (control group). Combustion behaviors was determined according to ISO 13927 standard, formaldehyde emission according to TS EN 717-2, and color and gloss changes after accelerated weathering according to ASTM G151 and ASTM G154. The best results for combustion behavior were obtained with the plywood panels and MDF panels coated with waterborne acrylic coating, for formaldehyde emission with plywood panels coated with epoxy powder coating and waterborne acrylic coating and plywood panels, MDF panels, and particleboard coated with polyester powder coating. The least color change and gloss loss were detected in the plywood panels, particleboard, and MDF panels groups with polyester-based powder coating.Öğe Fungicide and insecticide properties of cardboard panels made from used beverage carton with veneer overlay(Academic Journals, 2010) Şen, Selim; Ayrılmış, Nadir; Candan, ZekiThis study evaluated fungicide and insecticide properties of the cardboard substrate panels overlaid with beech veneer. The experimental cardboards from recycled food and beverage carton containers having approximately 75% paperboard, 20% low density polyethylene ( LDPE), and 5% aluminum foil were overlaid using four types of adhesives; polyurethane (PU), phenol-formaldehyde(PF), urea-formaldehyde(UF) and melamine-urea formaldehyde (MUF). The cardboard specimens overlaid with veneer using polyurethane adhesive had better mechanical properties and water resistance than those of the specimens made with other three types of adhesives. Brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana and white rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermisphora were used for the decay tests. The larvae of the Rhagium bifasciatum F. was used for the insect test. Wood veneer faced cardboards had significantly higher antifungal and insecticide properties than those of the control wood samples. The weight losses of the cardboard groups caused by C. puteana and C. subvermisphora were 0.43 - 0.83%. While UF-cardboard type board was the most affected group by the fungus, MUF-cardboard type was found as the most resistance group against larvae.Öğe Influence of PVA and silica on chemical, thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of Celluclast-treated nanofibrillated cellulose composites(Elsevier Science Bv, 2017) Poyraz, Bayram; Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Candan, Zeki; Demir, Ahmet; Yavuz, MustafaThis study reports on the effects of organic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and inorganic silica polymer on properties of Celluclast-treated nanofibrillated cellulose composites. Nanofibrillated cellulose was isolated from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and prior to high-pressure homogenizing was pretreated with Celluclast enzyme in order to lower energy consumption. Three nanocomposite films were fabricated via the casting process: nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF), nanocellulose-PVA (CNF-P)and,nanocellulose-silica (CNF-Si). Chemical characterization, crystallization and thermal stability were determined using FT-IR and TGA. Morphological alterations were monitored with SEM. The Young's and storage moduli of the nanocomposites were determined via a universal testing machine and DTMA. The real and imaginary parts of permittivity and electric modulus were evaluated using an impedance analyzer. The crystallinity values of the nanocomposites calculated from the FT-IR were in agreement with the TGA results, showing that the lowest crystallinity value was in the CNF-Si. The CNF-P displayed the highest tensile strength. At a high temperature interval, the storage modulus of the CNF-Si was greater than that of the CNF or CNF-P. The CNF-Si also exhibited a completed singular relaxation process, while the CNF and the CNF-P processes were uncompleted. Consequently, in terms of industrial applications, although the CNF-P composite had mechanical advantages, the CNF-Si composite displayed the best thermo-mechanical properties. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Öğe Lignin in Place of Carbon Black for Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Based Automotive Sealing Profiles(North Carolina State Univ Dept Wood & Paper Sci, 2022) Poyraz, Bayram; Güner, Yusuf; Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Yamanoğlu, Rıdvan; Candan, Zeki; Şen, MuratThis study examined the effects of lignin used in EPDM elastomer composites in place of carbon black. For that purpose, lignin was added in amounts of 3.5, 7, and 10.5 phr to investigate the chemical, thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties of the EPDM elastomers. At the end of the study, tear strength and elongation were enhanced, whereas thermal stability was lowered due to the lignin. The lignin facilitated the vulcanization process and improved the torque values. In the morphology, the lignin was dispersed homogeneously in the matrix, and no voids or cracks were observed except with 10.5 phr. In conclusion, when incorporated at a specified ratio, lignin is economical and provides ecological benefits. Its use as a natural filler can be recommended to automotive industries to provide enhanced properties and ecological properties as a substitute for carbon black.Öğe Lignocellulosic Bionanomaterials for Biosensor Applications(Mdpi, 2023) Durmaz, Ekrem; Sertkaya, Selva; Yilmaz, Hande; Olgun, Cagri; Ozcelik, Orhan; Tozluoglu, Ayhan; Candan, ZekiThe rapid population growth, increasing global energy demand, climate change, and excessive use of fossil fuels have adversely affected environmental management and sustainability. Furthermore, the requirements for a safer ecology and environment have necessitated the use of renewable materials, thereby solving the problem of sustainability of resources. In this perspective, lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive natural resource because of its abundance, renewability, recyclability, and low cost. The ever-increasing developments in nanotechnology have opened up new vistas in sensor fabrication such as biosensor design for electronics, communication, automobile, optical products, packaging, textile, biomedical, and tissue engineering. Due to their outstanding properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, improved electrical and thermal conductivity, high physical and mechanical properties, high surface area and catalytic activity, lignocellulosic bionanomaterials including nanocellulose and nanolignin emerge as very promising raw materials to be used in the development of high-impact biosensors. In this article, the use of lignocellulosic bionanomaterials in biosensor applications is reviewed and major challenges and opportunities are identified.Öğe Matrix impact on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of microfluidized nanofibrillated cellulose composites(Walter De Gruyter Gmbh, 2017) Poyraz, Bayram; Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Candan, Zeki; Demir, AhmetThis study reports on the effect of organic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silica matrix on the properties of cellulose-based nanocomposites. Nanofibrillated cellulose was isolated from kraft pulp and treated with Pulpzyme HC 2500 enzyme prior to high-pressure homogenization in order to lower energy consumption. Three nanocomposite films were fabricated via the casting process: nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocellulose-PVA (NC-PVA) and nanocellulose-silica (NC-Si). Chemical characterization and crystallization were determined with FTIR. Thermal stability was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis. Morphological alterations were monitored with scanning electron microscopy. A universal testing machine and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were used for determination of Young's and storage moduli. The real and imaginary parts of permittivity and electric modulus were evaluated using an impedance analyzer. Considerable alterations were seen under FTIR. Thermal stability was lower in NC-Si than in NC-PVA due to lower crystallinity. Higher Young's modulus and storage moduli were observed in NC-PVA than in NC-Si. NC-PVA exhibited a singular relaxation process, while a double relaxation process was seen in NC-Si. Consequently, the nanocomposite film prepared from the organic matrix (NC-PVA) had a mechanical advantage for industrial applications. However, neat NC composite revealed the highest storage modulus and thermal stability.Öğe MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF DEFECTS IN THERMALLY COMPRESSED POPLAR WOOD PANELS(Univ Bio-Bio, 2016) Doğu, Dilek; Bakır, Davut; Tuncer, F. Diğdem; Hızal, Kamile Tırak; Ünsal, Öner; Candan, ZekiThe combined effects of temperature and compression on the microstructure of solid-wood panels produced by Aspen (Populus tremula) wood were evaluated. Thermal compression was applied on aspen wood to increase the density for improving its physical and mechanical properties. The solid wood panels with dimensions of 100 mm by 500 mm by 25 mm were hot-pressed by using a laboratory hot press at a temperature of either 150 degrees C or 170 degrees C and pressure of either 1MPa or 2 MPa, respectively, for 45 min. Changes in the microstructure were detected by using a light microscope. The microscopic investigations revealed that the wood exhibited much defects in the process conditions of 170 degrees C / 2 MPa, and the distribution of defects were not uniform in the growth rings of the wood specimens in the two treatment groups. All defects in cell structure were quite distinct in the beginning and the last parts of the growth rings and the largest damages occurred in the fibers and vessels for the two process conditions. The results indicate that growth ring structure, vessel porosity, and cell wall thickness have a strong effect on wood behavior in various process conditions.Öğe Nanocellulose: Sustainable biomaterial for developing novel adhesives and composites(Elsevier, 2022) Candan, Zeki; Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Gönültaş, Oktay; Yıldırım, Mert; Fidan, Hakan; Alma, Mehmet Hakkı; Salan, TufanCellulose is one of the most ubiquitous and abundant natural biopolymer in the world. Nanocellulose are nanoscale cellulose-based materials isolated from trees, annual plants, agricultural residues, and algae or generated by bacteria or tunicates. Among many other sustainable nanomaterials, nanocellulose is drawing increasing interest for use in environmental remediation technologies due to its attractive properties such as excellent mechanical properties, high surface area, rich hydroxyl groups for modification, and natural properties with 100% environmental friendliness. Nanocellulose can be classified as micro/nanofibrillated cellulose (MFC/NFC), micro/nanocellulose crystals (MCC/NCC), and bacterial cellulose (BC). Nanocellulose has an existing potential as reinforcements in polymers, composite materials, and nanocomposites. Nanocellulose can be used in a variety of products such as automobile, aircraft, electronics, medical, textiles, food, optics, packaging materials, gels, composites, pharmaceuticals, bone replacement, dental products, tissue engineering, construction, coatings, wood-based composite materials, paints, papermaking, and cosmetics. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND WETTABILITY PERFORMANCE OF THERMALLY MODIFIED ROWAN WOOD AS A FAST-GROWING SPECIES(Inst Technol Drewna, 2021) Candan, Zeki; Gorgun, Hizir Volkan; Korkut, Suleyman; Unsal, OnerThis study aims to examine the effect of the thermal modification process on the surface roughness properties of the wood of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) as a fast-growing species. Four thermal modification processes were applied, with temperatures of 160 and 180 degrees C and durations of 2 and 4 hours. In total five groups were compared, including the untreated group. Arithmetical mean roughness, maximum height, ten-spot average roughness, and root-mean-square deviation were measured using a stylus-type profilometer, both parallel and perpendicular to the grain, according to the JIS B 0601 standard. Wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle of a droplet of distilled water. After dripping, the camera captured several images to measure the contact angle. The results showed that thermal modification decreases the wettability of the samples. Moreover, increments in temperature and duration may further decrease wettability. On the other hand, there are no significant differences between groups in terms of the surface roughness values, measured both parallel and perpendicular to the grain, except for two groups. It is concluded that these process conditions did not substantially change the surface roughness properties of rowan wood panels. However; the decrease in wettability may provide new possibilities for the use of less-known wood species.Öğe TEMPO-treated CNF Composites: Pulp and Matrix Effect(Korean Fiber Soc, 2018) Poyraz, Bayram; Tozluoğlu, Ayhan; Candan, Zeki; Demir, Ahmet; Yavuz, Mustafa; Büyüksarı, Ümit; Saka, Rasim CemThis study examined the effects of matrix (PVA and Si) on the properties of TEMPO-treated nanocomposites preparing from different pulp sources (Kraft and NaBH4 treated Kraft). Chemical characterization and crystallization were determined via FT-IR, thermal stability via TGA and morphological alterations via SEM. UTM and DTMA were used to measure the Young's and storage moduli. The real and imaginary parts of permittivity and electric modulus were evaluated using an impedance analyzer. After interaction, prominent vibrations and alteration of crystallinity were seen. Storage and Young's moduli decreased after Si and PVA interaction. The Si-TOCN films showed higher permittivity properties and all of the films followed a similar trend of significantly dropping epsilon' and epsilon'' values at high frequency. The PVA-TOCN films had mechanical advantages at room temperature compared to the Si-TOCN films. However, the Si-TOCN films had better thermomechanical properties at high temperatures. NaBH4 revealed favorable effects on mechanical properties of the films.Öğe Thermally Compressed Poplar Wood (TCW): Physical and Mechanical Properties(Zagreb Univ, Fac Forestry, 2013) Candan, Zeki; Korkut, Süleyman; Ünsal, ÖnerVarious thermal modification techniques are used to improve some properties of wood materials. Thermally compressed wood (TCW) is obtained by using a hot-press. This study investigates the effect of thermal compression on the density, vertical density profile (VDP), moisture content (MC), thickness swelling (TS), Janka hardness, and drying characteristics of the poplar wood boards. The experimental boards were cut from poplar wood (Populus spp). The boards with dimensions of 100 mm by 500 mm by 25 nun were thermally compressed at press temperature of either 150 degrees C or 170 degrees C, press pressure of either 1 or 2 MPa for 45 minutes in a hot-press. A total of 10 experimental boards were prepared - two boards for each group plus two for control. The results obtained in this study indicated that the density and Janka hardness values increased with the increase of the press pressure. The thermal compression process decreased the thickness of the boards. The thickness reduction increased with the increase of the press pressure. An improvement was not seen in the TS values of the samples when compared to those of the untreated samples. This study revealed that the thermal compression technique should be used to improve some properties of poplar wood. In this way better use could be made of low-cost poplar wood.Öğe Wettability and roughness characteristics of modified wood boards using a hot-press(Elsevier Science Bv, 2011) Ünsal, Öner; Candan, Zeki; Korkut, SüleymanThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the thermal modification process by hot-press on the wettability and surface roughness characteristics of the eucalyptus wood boards. The roughness measurements, average roughness (R(a)), and maximum roughness (R(max)) were taken both parallel and perpendicular to the grain using a fine stylus tracing technique. Contact angle measurements were obtained using a goniometer system connected to a digital camera and computer system. The results showed that surface roughness values of the modified wood boards using a hot-press significantly decreased with increasing press pressure and with decreasing temperature. The contact angle measurements indicated that the thermal modification had a significant influence on the surface wettability of the wood boards. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in the surface roughness and contact angle values of the wood boards following thermal modification. The results acquired in this work provide important information for future research and utilization of the thermally modified wood boards. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
