Effects of adhesive systems on the mechanical and fire-reaction properties of wood veneer laminates

The current work describes the effects of different adhesive systems, epoxy and polyvinyl acetate (PVA), on the mechanical and fire-reaction properties of wood veneer composites (plywood). The mechanical characterisations are carried out in the longitudinal (parallel to the grain direction of the outer layer) and transverse (perpendicular to the grain) directions of the cross-laminated samples. The epoxy-glued samples have an overall improvement in the transverse mechanical performance, whereas the samples glued with PVA have better longitudinal properties. Interestingly, the fire-performance study with cone calorimeter tests, supplemented by a predictive numerical model has highlighted the vital role of the adhesive in determining the fire-performance of the composites. [Display omitted]