Effect of Thermoplastic Binder on Flow Deformation Behavior of Wood

AbstractA processing technique was recently developed to realize plastic deformation in wood impregnated with a thermoset binder. This paper proposes a new flow forming technique where a thermoplastic binder is used instead of a thermoset binder with the expectation that the formability and recyclability of the products will be improved. To clarify the effect of the thermoplastic binder on the flow deformation behavior of wood, capillary fluidity tests were performed using impregnated wood with various contents of thermoplastic binder (polymer). The extrusion load of the impregnated wood through the capillary decreased with an increase of the polymer content in the wood. Results of the second fluidity test using the first extruded material reveals that the recycled impregnated wood can flow again. The extrusion load of the second extrusion was equal to or lower than the first. These results indicate that the recyclability of the wood impregnated with a thermoplastic binder is highly promising. The internal configuration of the impregnated wood during extrusion was also dependent on the polymer content