High voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) was applied in order to improve wood surface characteristics, bonding and mechanical properties of wood composites. Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamp.) plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) were selected in this study. Surface characteristics were conducted by the electron spin resonance (ESR) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Bonding interphase and mechanical properties were investigated by fluorescence microscopy and vertical density profile (VDP), bonding strength, wood failure ratio, MOE and MOR. The results indicated that more increments were obtained in free radicals, O/C ratios and C2-C4 components. This is because electrons broke more wood chemical groups and new ions occurred among wood surface under HVEF. Significantly decreased PF adhesive penetration depth (PD) and increased density at bonding interphase was achieved in HVEF treated composites. More decrease of PD and increment of density were observed in plywood than that of LVL. This was attributed to cross linked wood fibers among bonding interphase in plywood. Mechanical properties of bonding strength, wood failure ratio, MOE and MOR were significantly increased under HVEF treatment both for two composites. Higher bonding strength, MOE and MOR were obtained in plywood and their increments were as 98.53%, 33.33%, 18.55% and 12.72%.
Comparison of Bonding Performance Between Plywood and Laminated Veneer Lumber Induced by High Voltage Electrostatic Field.