Plywood is a widely used engineered wood product valued for its strength to weight ratio, versatility, and cost effectiveness across construction, transportation and furniture industries[1,2]. However, its mechanical properties – particularly tensile, bending and bonding strength, limits its application in high performance structural use [3,4]. To overcome these constraints, reinforcement has gained attention, in particularly natural mineral reinforcements like basalt fibres showing promise for improving mechanical performance and durability[5,6]. Basalt fibres, derived from melted and extruded volcanic rock, are favourable for their mechanical properties and environmental sustainability[3,5]. They offer tensile strength and stiffness comparable to glass fibres, with superior chemical resistance and a lower environmental footprint [8]. Basalt fibres are recyclable, require less energy to produce than synthetic fibres and align with the shift towards the bio based, ecofriendly materials in wood composites and the European Green Deal objectives. Fibre fabrics, formed by interwoven mineral fibres, offer an efficient reinforcement method for plywood by improving load distribution and mechanical performance. Studies show that integrating basalt fibre reinforced polymer coatings enhanced stiffness and surface wear resistance[10]. Embedding [4]basalt or carbon fibre meshes between veneer layers improves bending and tensile strengths, particularly with compatible adhesives. Additionally, prestressing basalt fibres prior to embedding further enhances tensile strength and structural stability. This research investigates the reinforcement of plywood using volcanic rock fibre fabrics embedded between veneer layers, focusing on evaluating their effects on bending strength, tensile properties, and bonding performance. Through systematic testing and analysis, it aims to advance understanding of mineral fibre reinforcement and identify strategies to enhance plywood’s suitability for demanding structural applications.
Keywords: reinforced plywood, volcanic rock fibre, mechanical properties, composite materials
Authors
Tanuj Kattamanchi
Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Material and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Heikko Kallakas
Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Material and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Joonas Hakonen
Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Material and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Jaan Kers
Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Material and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Rynno Lohmus
Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia
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