Fabrication and Studies on Dimensional Stability of Bentonite Epoxy Laminated Veneer Lumbers

摘要

The present manuscript reports an exploratory approach on fabrication and characterization of dimensional stability of Laminated Veneer Lumbers (LVLs).The processes of LVLs fabrication was executed through implication of a series of adhesive formulations (AFs) involving epoxy resin supplemented with various weight fractions of bentonite under four ply arrangements of poplar wood veneers. LVLs were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) tests. Study reveals that LVLs with 12 mm thickness has shown enhanced density, control over WA and TS. The study demonstrates a viable method of implication of BECs as adhesive for fabrication of LVLs with improved dimensional stability, making them suitable for possible outdoor applications..