PANELS MADE OF CROSSCUT BRANCHES

Marina CIONCA
Assist.Prof. Dr. Eng.- „Transilvania” University of Brasov – Faculty of Wood Industry
Address: B-dul Eroilor nr.29, 500036 Brasov – Romania
Tel/Fax: 0040 268 415315. E-mail: marina.cionca@rdslink.ro

Loredana Anne-Marie BADESCU
Prof.Dr.Eng. – „Transilvania” University of Brasov – Faculty of Wood Industry
Address: B-dul Eroilor nr.29, 500036 Brasov – Romania
Tel/Fax: 0040 268 415315. E-mail: loredana@unitbv.ro

Octavia ZELENIUC
Lecturer Dr. Eng - „Transilvania” University of Brasov – Faculty of Wood Industry
Address: B-dul Eroilor nr.29, 500036 Brasov – Romania
Tel/Fax: 0040 268 415315. E-mail: tiaforest@yahoo.com

Lidia GURAU
Lecturer Dr. Eng - „Transilvania” University of Brasov – Faculty of Wood Industry
Address: B-dul Eroilor nr.29, 500036 Brasov – Romania
Tel/Fax: 0040 268 415315. E-mail: rgurau@rdslink.ro

Alin OLARESCU
Student - „Transilvania” University of Brasov – Faculty of Wood Industry
Address: B-dul Eroilor nr.29, 500036 Brasov – Romania
E-mail: alinolarescu@yahoo.fr

Abstract:
The evolution of wood production structure leads towards a larger timber consumption, thus influencing the increase of wood harvesting. Consequently the environmental impact increases. One of the most ignored secondary resources, the branches, mainly used as firewood, are insufficiently known and exploited in spite of limited natural resources.

This paper presents the first results of an on going research regarding new wooden structures made of processed branches of European beech – Fagus sylvatica and Scots pine –Pinus sylvestris as part of the more comprehensive objective of product eco-design. The research has confirmed the feasibility of producing new panel structures by gluing 20mm thick slices crosscut from branch prisms, which can be further incorporated in small furniture products.

Green gluing of te slices was used to increase the tangential stability of te panels. The behaviour of the glued panels during drying was carefully observed.

Compared to hardwood specimens, softwood structures were more stable, did not split and displayed no delamination in the adhesive layer. Controlled side clamping during drying could improve the quality of green gluing and reduce tangential stresses.

Keywords: secondary resources, branches, panels