Understanding the PLA–Wood Adhesion Interface for the Development of PLA-Bonded Softwood Laminates

With polylactic acid (PLA) usage projected to increase in wood-based composite materials, a study comparing processing parameters with resulting PLA−wood adhesion and panel performance is warranted. In this study, PLA-softwood veneer laminates have been prepared spatial chemical imaging via FTIR analysis was applied identify PLA bondlines characterizing bondline thickness the extent of migration into wood matrix. These PLA–wood interface characteristics compared panels varying pressing temperature, time grades. For amorphous PLA, thicknesses (60–120 μm) were similar, at 140 °C or 160 °C, whereas semi-crystalline (340 significantly reduced (155–240 only when internal temperatures exceeded during pressing. Internal also impacted penetration, greater from evident higher times distinctions between grades position. Performance testing revealed thinner associated dry strength for both Cold-water soaking laminated exhibit range wet-strength related panel-pressing regimes pressed 180 having similar tensile wet states. Moreover, an excellent correlation penetration values grade. Overall, findings demonstrate can be tuned through combination grade regime employed.