Selected physical and mechanical properties of LVL made from Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach

Abstract

This study evaluated air-dry density, some selected mechanical properties, and surface roughness of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach wood. The LVL was manufactured from 2.3-mm-thick rotary peeled veneers. Air-dry density and mechanical properties of LVLs were determined according to the following standards: air-dry density (EN 323), modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) (EN 310), tensile strength parallel to the grain of surface layer of plywood (ASTM D 3500-90), and bonding quality of LVL (EN 314-1). Surface roughness of LVLs was measured by the profile method using a Mitutoyo Surftest SJ 301 profilometer according to ISO 4287. It was found that density, MOR, MOE, tensile strength, bonding quality, and surface roughness (R-a) were 0.61 g/cm(3), 87.8 N/mm(2), 9541.0 N/mm(2), 97.6 N/mm(2), 2.86 N/mm(2), and 6.83 mu m, respectively. Based on the results of the study, Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach LVL appears to be a suitable alternative to currently used LVL from species such as populus spp. and alnus spp.