Application of Microwave Treatment for the Plasticisation of Beech Wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) and its Densification for Flooring System Purposes

In this study, the application of microwave treatment for wood plasticisation and its densification for flooring system purposes is presented. Microwave plasticisation was carried out using a continuous laboratory device at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, and the testing samples made from European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood were plasticised at different power modes (2 kW, 3.5 kW, and 5 kW). Afterwards, the densification (ratio 50%) of pre-treated samples was performed. The surface temperature (Ts) and average moisture content (MC) of the samples were measured after plasticisation. The results showed the influence of the chosen mode on MC decrease and rapid Ts increase. Thus, the densification of testing samples is affected by different initial conditions that occur during the plasticisation process (MC and Ts). The Brinell hardness (HB) of the densified samples increased by about 57% (2 kW), 103% (3.5 kW), and 83% (5 kW), compared with control samples. These results provide a better understanding of microwave plasticisation usability and its potential optimisation and application in the wood flooring industry.