GB1282195A - A process for the production of compressed wooden components provided if required with ornamentation - Google Patents

Abstract

1282195 Shaping wood by pressure L VAZZOLA G ORTNER and J PRUGGER 25 Feb 1970 [6 March 1969 11 June 1969] 8968/70 Heading B5L A method of producing a compressed natural wood component comprises immersing the wood in an aqueous bath containing pyridine, drying it to a residual moisture content of 12-16% by weight and compressing it at a temperature of between 180‹ and 185‹ C. In a preferred method the wood is immersed in a bath consisting of 3 parts by weight of water to one part by weight of pyridine, and is then dried by air at a temperature of 60-80‹ C., from which the excess water-pyridine mixture is continually removed. The wood 8, Fig. 1, is then placed on a steel base plate 3 between the heated faces 1, 2 of a press. The plate 3 has a contoured face 4, and is located within a silicone ring 6 having a connection 9 leading to a vacuum pump. An aluminium plate 7 rests on the ring 6. Vacuum is applied via the connection 9 and pressure is then applied by the faces 1, 2. During this stage hydrolysis of the wood occurs. Further pressure is then applied so that the plate 3, Fig. 3, shapes one surface of the wood and the edges 5 thereof seal against the plate 7 and cut away scrap material. The vacuum connection is then broken and polycondensation occurs in the wood. After release of pressure the shaped component is removed from the press. In an alternative method the plate 3 is omitted and a board like component is produced, one or both faces of which may be subsequently planed. This component may subsequently be ornamented on one or both faces by applying heat and pressure as above. The ring 6 and application of vacuum may be omitted. The wood may comprise a number of pieces superimposed horizontally or side-by-side vertically. The components may be used in flooring or furniture and are wear resistant.