Polymers and associated composite materials play an increasingly prominent role among structural materials. The relevance of the use of bioplastics as an alternative to synthetic polymers increases year by year. In this regard, the paper describes the production of a ligno-filled polymer material based on polyhydroxyalkanoates to be used in the production of building materials. The studies allowed us to produce the material from wood hydrolyzates. The highest yield of reducing substances in course of pine sawdust hydrolysis with 4% sulfurous acid occurred at 170°C. To obtain a biopolymer in liquid wood hydrolyzate medium, the Cupriavidus necator strain was used, which after 50 hours of cultivation gave a biopolymer yield of up to 15 g/l. The studies of the strength characteristics of the composite based on the obtained bioplastic and dried solid wood hydrolysates allowed us to produce a balanced composition for subsequent use in construction.

This paper considers the effect of RF plasma on wood in improving the adhesion of binders to wood by increasing its surface wettability. Our study reveals that radiofrequency (RF) plasma treatment causes a greater than threefold decrease in the marginal wetting angle of wood. The greatest effect is achieved in RF plasma treatment in argon, which is on average 5% greater than that of RF plasma treatment in air or in propane/nitrogen mixture. In addition, the power of the RF plasma torch has the greatest influence, and the main influence comes from the voltage applied to the RF plasma torch; current does not have such a significant effect. To achieve a significant effect, the duration of exposure should be at least 5 min, with a total power of 4.05 kW.Studies have been conducted to determine the adhesive strength of wood. An increase in the strength of laminated beams made from RF-treated bars in relation to control samples was found. The greatest impact on the adhesion strength was revealed when using PVA-based glue, compared with the use of polyurethane-based adhesives and urea-formaldehyde resin.

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We have studied the impact of a disc type reactor design features on the uniformity of different-fraction wood raw materials heat treatment before granulation. It was found that a uniform distribution of the pine chips density is provided by using plates with different hole diameters across the height of the device at the blades rotation rate of 12 rpm. These parameters ensure the efficiency of the process and contribute to production of torrefied pellets with improved calorific characteristics.

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