Study of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Post-Consumer Wood of Different Age

It should be noted that there is currently a problem with wood resources in the woodworking industry. A potential, unused wood reserve is post-consumer wood (PCW). The problem with the quality of this wood resource has not been fully resolved since there is no regulatory database. In fact, there is a lack of appropriate regulatory documents, which makes it impossible to describe to a full extent the physical and mechanical properties of PCW of common wood species of different ages as a source of additional raw materials for various woodworking technologies. Proceeding from the goal, the task of the study is to describe the physical and mechanical properties of postconsumer wood using the example of fir wood, which for a long period of time has been used to create furniture and joinery products. The task is also to identify patterns of change in the indicators of this resource with age – an expired service life or suitability. In order to use PCW in woodworking and to fill the scientific base with physical and mechanical indicators of fir wood of different ages with an expired product service life, the following characteristics were investigated: static hardness, swelling, coefficients of swelling, the value of transverse anisotropy, density, static bending strength, splitting strength along the fibers, modulus of elasticity in compression, and the modulus of elasticity in static bending. The characteristics of PCW of the widespread fir species in the range of use from 0 to 20 years were explored, with intermediate control over the properties every 5 years. The dynamics of the physical and mechanical indicators of fir PCW were revealed and it was found that in the course of operation time in various conditions they change, mainly decreasingly: static hardness by 9.2-9.6%; the value of transverse anisotropy by 30-32%; strength: static bending strength by 3.4-7.95%, splitting strength by 4.49-8.67%; modulus of elasticity: in compression by 3.89-4.08%, in bending by 2.75-6.64%. The main causes of changes in the properties of PCW with age: natural: weathering, partial internal rot, insect damage, other biological effects; mechanical: splitting, scratches, small holes from means of fastening and other defects due to use; operational: the influence of power and dynamic loads, the influence of surface finishing agents and other factors on the structural elements of wood products. A summary table was compiled for the selection of indicators of the physical and mechanical properties of fir PCW of different ages. When knowing the indicators and dynamics of the physical and mechanical properties of PCW with age, it can be recommended for manufacturing structural materials – blockboards and furniture panels.