Physical and mechanical properties of laminated wood made from heat-treated Scotch pine reinforced with carbon fiber

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and reinforced laminated veneer lumber (RLVL) with carbon fiber were produced from heat-treated Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood using phenol formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), and polyurethane (PU) resins. Wood veneers were subjected to heat treatments at 150 °C, 170 °C, or 190 °C for 2 h before lamination. The effects of the reinforcement, heat treatment temperatures, and resins on the properties of the LVL and RLVL were analyzed. Density, equilibrium moisture content (EMC), modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were evaluated. The results showed that MOR and MOE values of solid wood and LVL specimens decreased with increasing treatment temperature. However, reinforcement with carbon fiber increased both MOR and MOE. In addition, the density values of the all RLVL specimens improved, and the EMC altered significantly for all test specimens. Compared to solid samples, the highest MOR values increased by approximately 21% in PF-RLVL samples. Similarly, the highest MOE values increased by 31% in PF-RLVL samples. In conclusion, carbon fiber, one of the most used fabric types in composites, could be utilized in the manufacture of reinforced LVL with heat-treated veneers.