Properties of Compressed Veneer from China Fir Plantation Wood

In this study, we investigated the properties of compressed veneer from China fir (Cunninghamia
lanceolata) plantation wood. China fir wood was cut into veneer at 2.5 mm in thickness using a rotary lathe. After drying, the veneer was compressed by a press at a high temperature. The set recovery, abrasion, roughness, dynamic Young’s modulus, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and hardness of the compressed veneer were then tested.
The set recovery of the compressed veneer deteriorated with the press time and temperature rises. The abrasion depth of the compressed veneer was less than that of the uncompressed veneer, but the abrasion weights of both were approximately the same. The compression process caused a significant improvement in the surface roughness of the veneer. The dynamic Young’s modulus, MOR, MOE, and hardness of the compressed veneer showed obvious increases with increasing specific
gravity. A linear relationship between the specific gravity and each strength property was found.