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International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 2865

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lidia Gurau

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Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
Interests: wood surface metrology; surface quality; surface roughness; wood microscopy; wood physical and mechanical properties; wood sanding; wood thermal treatment; wood processed by laser; secondary wood resources
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Prof. Dr. Mihaela Câmpean

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Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
Interests: wood drying; heat treatment of wood; wood technology
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Dr. Emilia-Adela Salca

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, 5000068 Brasov, Romania
Interests: wood processing; wood modification; discolorations of wood; coatings
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium (ICWSE), hosted by the Transilvania University of Brasov (Romania), the Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering, has reached its 14th edition. The main scope of this conference is to provide a forum for discussing the most recent advances in wood science and technology. The upcoming conference (ICWSE 2025) will occur between 6 and 8 November 2025. At this event, participants from all over the world are expected to present their newest research achievements. Papers published in this ICWSE 2025 Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics related to wood science and technology, which are listed as keywords below.

wood structure and properties
wood drying and heat treatments
mechanical wood processing and quality
wood-based materials
wood preservation, modification, gluing, and coating
conservation-restoration of wooden objects
furniture design
wood constructions

Prof. Dr. Lidia Gurau
Prof. Dr. Mihaela Câmpean
Dr. Emilia-Adela Salca
Guest Editors

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Keywords

wood structure and properties
wood drying and heat treatments
mechanical wood processing and quality
wood-based materials
wood preservation, modification, gluing, and coating
conservation–restoration of wooden objects
furniture design
wood constructions

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1300 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synclastic Behavior of the Auxetic Core for Furniture Panels

by Jerzy Smardzewski and Michał Słonina

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10614; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910614 - 30 Sep 2025

Abstract

The cores of honeycomb panels are usually made of hexagonal cells. Due to their structure, they create anticlastic surfaces that are difficult to use in furniture design. Synclastic surfaces in lightweight sandwich panels are typically associated with auxetic cores characterized by a negative Poisson’s ratio. This study aimed to transform the hexagonal cell cores into cells with a negative or positive Poisson’s ratio (NPR, PPR), enabling these cores to form synclastic surfaces. New core structures for synclastic furniture sandwich honeycomb panels were modeled numerically and experimentally. It has been demonstrated that reentrant cells with NPR create synclastic surfaces, and new shapes of core cells, created by transforming hexagonal cells with PPR, also enable the formation of synclastic surfaces. Cores’ synclasticity was assessed in two orthogonal planes using physical models and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A new and original discovery is the demonstration that not only auxetic but also modified hexagonal cells with Poisson’s ratios of

ν_{x y}

= 0.545 and

ν_{y x}

= 0.512, respectively, exhibit excellent synclastic properties. The agreement between FEA and experiment was very high. The results show that not only NPR but also cell topology provides a practical route to the synclastic formation of cores without the use of auxetic materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

18 pages, 2976 KB

Open AccessArticle

Properties of Insulation-Type Green Composite Panels Manufactured from Recycled Cardboard

by Mohammad Hassan Mazaherifar, Salim Hiziroglu, Luminita Maria Brenci and Camelia Cosereanu

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10378; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910378 - 24 Sep 2025

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Abstract

This study investigates the influence of two processing methods, namely wet and dry, on the structural, physical, mechanical, and acoustic performance of green lignocellulosic fiber-based composite panels. A comprehensive evaluation was carried out to compare the vertical density profile, affinity to water, thermal insulation and sound absorption, microstructural features, and mechanical performance of two types of experimental panels. The dry-processed samples exhibited 24% more prominent vertical density profile and superior dimensional stability, with lower thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) due to their more compact fiber arrangement compared to those of the specimens made using the wet process. However, the wet-processed panel demonstrated significantly enhanced mechanical properties, including 36% higher modulus of elasticity (MOE), 61% modulus of rupture (MOR), and 67% internal bonding strength (IB). Such findings could be attributed to their increased fibrillation and improved inter-fiber bonding compared with those of the panels made using the dry process. The thermal conductivity values of the wet- and dry-processed panels were found to be 0.053 W/mK and 0.057 W/mK, respectively. Acoustic analysis of the samples revealed that while the dry-processed panel slightly outperformed in terms of low-frequency sound absorption, the wet-processed panel exhibited superior high-frequency absorption, particularly when perforations were introduced. Microscopic examination of the samples confirmed that wet processing produced a more homogenous and fibrillated microstructure, correlating well with the observed enhancements in mechanical and acoustic performance. In conclusion, it can be stated that the processing strategies of such panels could be applied for diverse engineering applications, including thermal insulation, acoustic damping, and sustainable structural materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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14 pages, 2150 KB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of Five Melamine–Urea–Formaldehyde (MUF) Resins in Spruce Three-Layer Glulam Bonds: Adhesion, Durability, and Mechanical Properties

by Aikaterini-Alexandra Psonopoulou, Vasiliki Kamperidou and Ioannis Barboutis

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10263; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810263 - 21 Sep 2025

Viewed by 226

Abstract

Towards the creation of a long-lasting and high-performing glulam-product, the optimization of melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) adhesive solutions in order to be in line with worldwide trends of building and cutting-edge material science is a matter of first-priority. However, glulam performance is still highly determined by the efficiency of adhesive bonds, which highlights the necessity of thorough resin and bonding examination. To identify the most effective MUF formulation for structural applications, this study examines the delamination resistance, of spruce three-layer glulam, applying five resins based all on MUF adhesive (EN 14080), differentiating in terms of hardener–resin ratios (1:4 and 1:5) and the applied adhesive amount (1:4 and 1:1) according to ISO 12578. The results revealed that some of the adhesives (A and E) were not suitable for use, the adhesives B and D require further processing, since both achieved a wood failure of 50% in the four applied experiments, while only adhesive C provided almost excellent results in all cases. When the hardener to glue ratio was 1:5 or 1:1, and the application was four times the typical amount of glue, the delamination test requirements were fulfilled, while none of the experiments with a ratio of 1:4 exhibited satisfying adhesion and strength, something that raises concern since this is the ratio recommended by the glulam-production standard. A thorough understanding of MUF adhesive formulations and adhesion mechanisms were approached, which is crucial towards the optimization of wood-based products especially of high-strength requirements as glulam. The hardener-to-glue ratio and the quantity of adhesive were highlighted as crucial factors, underlying the need for accurate formulation and application in structural glulam bonding, while more stringent manufacturing quality control seems to be a necessity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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20 pages, 6733 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of ANN and RSM to Optimize the Sawing Process of Wood by Circular Saw Blades

by Mihai Ispas, Sergiu Răcășan, Bogdan Bedelean and Ana-Maria Angelescu

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10206; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810206 - 19 Sep 2025

Viewed by 276

Abstract

Various parameters, like blade design, rotational speed, feed speed, tooth geometry, wood moisture content, and wood species, influence the efficiency and quality of sawing processes. Knowing the optimal combination of these factors could lead to lower power consumption and high surface quality during wood processing. Therefore, in this study, we applied a novel method that could be used to optimize the cutting of wood with circular saw blades. The analyzed factors included rotational speed, feed speed, blade type (the number of cutting teeth and blade geometries), and two wood species, such as beech and spruce. The samples were cut longitudinally using two circular saw blades. The power consumption and the roughness of the processed surfaces were experimentally measured using an active/reactive electrical power transducer and a DAQ connected to a computer and a diamond stylus roughness meter, respectively. Once the data were gathered and processed, an artificial neural network modeling technique was involved in designing two models: one model for the cutting power and the other for surface roughness. Both models are characterized by high values of performance indicators. Therefore, the models could be considered a reliable tool that could be used to predict the cutting power and the surface roughness for the cutting of wood with circular saw blades. Next, response surface methodology was used to identify how each factor affects the cutting power and the surface quality, and to find the optimal values for both. The results showed that the most important factor that influences the roughness of the processed surfaces is the feed speed; the second factor is the blade rotation speed; the third factor is the tool type (the number of cutting teeth combined with their geometry). The optimal machining conditions recommended by the optimization algorithm (low power consumption and low roughness) imply minimum feed speed values (3.5 m/min) and medium (4500 rpm for 54-tooth blade) or high (6000 rpm for 24-tooth blade) blade rotation speeds. A further study will be conducted to consider the behavior of wood species during the circular sawing of wood and to clarify the influence of the different constructive parameters of the blades (number of teeth, tooth geometry) on their performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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15 pages, 1388 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Torrefaction on the Properties of Spruce (Picea abies) and Sycamore (Acer platanoides) Wood

by Cosmin Spirchez and Aurel Lunguleasa

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10054; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810054 - 15 Sep 2025

Viewed by 270

Abstract

The recent increase in demand for natural wood has led to an increase in the study of various wood treatments to expand its applications. In this regard, the torrefaction of natural wood has been used to complement classic treatments, reducing the wood’s affinity for water and increasing its durability while maintaining or only slightly worsening its physical and mechanical properties. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of spruce and mountain maple wood torrefied at temperatures of 180–200 °C for 1–3 h and to compare them with those of non-torrefied wood of the same species. The results showed that torrefied wood has better properties in terms of water affinity and has quite good properties in terms of density and the analyzed mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength parallel to the wood grain, static bending strength, and Brinell hardness. The general results of this paper show that the torrefied samples of the two species have better properties than non-torrefied samples, thus broadening their applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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22 pages, 5553 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sandblasting Wood as a Technique of Simulated Weathering

by Marko Petrič, Luka Albreht, Eli Keržič, Jaka Levanič, Matjaž Pavlič and Jernej Skerbiš

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 9919; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189919 - 10 Sep 2025

Viewed by 276

Abstract

While most efforts are aimed at preventing the surface roughening and colour change of wood due to weathering, some customers, mainly for decorative reasons, want wooden objects and elements to give the impression that they have been weathered for a long time. In this study, the simulated weathering of numerous softwoods as well as ring-porous and diffuse-porous woods by sandblasting and greying with iron sulphate was investigated. Calculations of the correlations between wood density, orientation, mass loss and thickness reduction by sandblasting were performed, and the difference between the hardness of late and early wood and the surface profile parameter P_t showed that the surface profiles correlate strongly with mass loss, especially in the tangential orientation. Softwoods appeared to be the most promising for simulated profiling, especially spruce and larch with tangential surfaces. Among the ring-porous woods, oak and sweet chestnut also delivered good results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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24 pages, 5439 KB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Quality of CNC Face-Milled Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Oak (Quercus robur) Using Two End-Mill Tool Types and Varying Processing Parameters

by Ana-Maria Angelescu, Lidia Gurau and Mihai Ispas

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 6975; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15136975 - 20 Jun 2025

Viewed by 333

Abstract

Face milling with end-mill tools represents a solution for woodworking applications on small-scale or complex surfaces, but information regarding the surface quality per specific tool type, wood material, and processing parameters is still limited. Therefore, this study examined the surface quality of tangential oak and maple CNC face-milled with two end-mill tools—straight-edged and helical—for three values of stepover (5, 7, 9 mm) and two cutting depths (1 and 3 mm). The surface quality was analyzed with roughness parameters, roughness profiles, and stereomicroscopic images and was referenced to that of very smooth surfaces obtained by super finishing. The helical end mill caused significant fiber tearing in maple and disrupted vessel outlines, while prominent tool marks such as regular ridges across the grain were noticed in oak. The best surface roughness was obtained in the case of the straight-edged tool and minimum stepover and depth of cut, which came closest to the quality of the shaved surfaces. An increase in the cutting depth generally increased the core surface roughness and fuzziness, for both tools, and this trend increased with an increase in the stepover value. The species-dependent machining quality implies that the selection of tool geometry and process parameters must be tailored per species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Conference Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium–ICWSE 2025)

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