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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Standard Test Method ASTM D 7998-19 for the Cohesive Strength Development of Wood Adhesives
Published on: May 17, 2020
Effect of Styrene Polymerization on the Bondability of Beech and Alder Wood with Different Adhesives
Emil Żmuda1, Anita Wronka2, Grzegorz Kowaluk2
1Department of Wood Science and Wood Protection, Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska Str. 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the bondability of beech and alder wood modified through styrene polymerization within the wood lumen. Unmodified wood samples served as the reference material. Bondability was tested using four adhesive types commonly used in wood technology: polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde (PRF), and epoxy resin. In addition to shear strength measurements, the adhesive density profile was also assessed. Results indicated that styrene modification generally reduced wood bondability, with reductions in shear strength ranging from 8% to 23% for beech wood and 1.6% to 29% for alder wood, depending on the adhesive type. The only exception was observed with the epoxy adhesive, which showed a 13% improvement in bonding quality for modified wood. These findings suggest that while styrene modification may enhance specific properties of wood, it can adversely affect its adhesion performance with some adhesive systems, except epoxy, which displayed improved compatibility with styrene-modified wood. The study offers insights for selecting suitable adhesives when using modified wood in structural applications.
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