The use of wood and wood products as building material strongly depends on their material, processing and use properties. The group «Wood Technology/Surface Technology» is involved in the analysis and the improvement of these properties in the fields of wood physics and mechanical technology as well as regarding the weathering protection of wood surfaces. The activities range from «forest oriented» wood research (forestry – wood chain, interface forest – wood processing) to the use characteristics of assembled wooden components and thus cover the wide area from raw-material to end-use applications. In this context the group also contributes to new or improved test methods.

Flyer (PDF)

Wood properties

• Physical and mechanical properties of wood and wood products (wood quality, grading)
• Properties and potential use of less-exploited (native) wood species or grades (e.g. Sweet chestnut)
• Modified wood (e.g. Thermowood)
• Improvement of wooden components and products (e.g. windows, façade cladding, flooring, railroad crossties)

Weathering protection

• Protective surface treatments of wood and wood products (effectiveness, durability, environmental impact)
• Nanotechnology for surface protection / Functionalised wood surfaces (e.g. hydrophobisation)
• Moisture-related processes in (weather exposed) wooden components

Adhesive bonding

• Moisture- and temperature resistance (reliability)
• Application of coupling agents for the adhesive bonding of wood
• Effect of wood extractives on bond quality
• Rehabilitation of adhesive joints
• Quality control

• Physical and mechanical material tests
• Microscopy of biological materials (light microscopy, SEM, TEM, UV-microscopy, partly with elemental analysis)
• Surface characterization:
  - Color, gloss
  - Wetting behavior (contact angle)
  - Hardness
• Natural und artificial weathering tests (EN 927)
• Adhesive bonding: DSC, TMA, DTMA
• Damage analysis, expert's reports, consulting

Contact: Martin Arnold, Klaus Richter

Nanotechnology for surface protection
Modern wooden constructions require - particularly for façades - visually attractive and durable surface coatings. However, various problems regarding the surface protection of weather exposed wood are still not satisfactorily solved and the durability is principally limited. In several research projects in cooperation with industrial partners new concepts and functionalized treatments based on nanoscaled components for an improved moisture, UV and biological protection are developed and their long-term durability is tested.
Contact: Martin Arnold, Klaus Richter

Properties and utilization of modified wood
Wood as 'natural' material exhibits properties, which depending on the application are unwanted (e.g. hygroscopicity, limited durability). By various modification processes it is possible to purposefully enhance selected wood properties. Currently the heat treatment of wood is a particularly popular method, which can considerably improve the dimensional stability and durability. While in Scandinavia mainly softwoods are heat treated, in middle Europa also hardwoods are used. A first project was focusing on the development of heat treated beech panels for wooden façades. The next steps will be the extension of applications to wall elements, flooring and noise barrier walls.
Contact: Martin Arnold, Francis Schwarze

High performance wood bonding
Wood adhesive bonding has triggered decisive innovations in the timber building industries. New applications of wood based products in multi storey buildings and under extreme climate conditions (humidity, temperature) require a ongoing improvement and development of of the wood adhesion technology. In our current research activities we investigate the critical bonding performance of larch wood, a homegrowing wood species with good potential for exterior applications, whose high amount of water soluble extractives is supposed to inhibit moisture resistant bonds. We additionally analyse the adhesion strength of polyuretan adhesives under increasing heat impact, aiming to optimise the adhesive formulations. A third project investigates the role of cellulose nanofibrils to improve and to functionalise the properties of wood adhesives.
Contact: Klaus Richter

Wood quality, conservation and utilisation of wind-blown timber
Two hurricanes within the last 15 years have caused considerable damage in the Swiss forests. Several research projects are dealing with the subsequent timber utilization problems, particularly regarding log conservation and mechanical damages in the harvested timber. The overall objective of the projects is to compile decision helps to cope better with future damage events.
Contact: Martin Arnold 
Detailed information (in German only)