nfluence of birch bark content in press raw materials on the properties of birch sawdust-based plastic without resins

Samples of plastic without resin (PWR) were produced using a wood filler with varying proportions of birch bark. The PWR samples were pressed in a sealed mold under a pressure of 40 MPa and at a temperature of 180 °C, followed by cooling without pressure release until reaching 40 °C. The resulting samples underwent testing for density, flexural strength, flexural modulus of elasticity, Brinell hardness, impact toughness, water absorption, and swelling after 24 hours. Additionally, biostability was assessed in soil for 90 days and in active soil for 105 days. Hydrophobicity was also evaluated based on the contact angle. Based on the test results, the optimal composition ratio for the press material was determined using birch sawdust with a 50% addition of birch bark. At this ratio, the material exhibited the following properties: density – 909 kg/m³, modulus of elasticity – 1566 MPa, flexural strength – 8.9MPa, Brinell hardness – 17 MPa, impact toughness – 3.818 kJ/m², water absorption in 24 hours – 32%, and swelling – 7%. A correlation was found between increased birch bark content in the press material and enhanced biostability, attributed to its high hydrophobicity and antiseptic properties.

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