Adhesives and Their Future in the Wood Industry

Timber quality is declining nationwide, therefore, the conclusion is drawn that all lumber, large timbers, and wood paneling materials will inevitably be in the form of small pieces glued together. It is likely also that products from bonded waste wood and bark will replace some lumber and plywood products. Any significant new development in wood utilization will incorporate glue in the manufacture. Glues are available to make any wood product desired if conditions of use in production and cost are not primary and if the items to be made are restricted to present type glued products. The development of durable cold-press adhesives for exterior service which are more economical than present resorcinol or phenol-resorcinol resins would have real advantages for the plywood industry. In the laminating industry glues for exterior use which would cure fast at temperatures in the range of 70?F. would be welcome. Also needed is development of better adhesives for bonding fire-retardant and preservative-treated wood as well as modified wood. Fast setting, durable, colorless glues are needed for end-jointing laminates. In the built-up lumber panel product line a continuous roller feed pressure process of end jointing and edge gluing would be advantageous. Preferably a single glue would be used. For building components which involve prefabrication of large flat panels, a roller-type press technique would have great promise, but contact-type adhesives have limitations which make the future of this process uncertain. The advantages of lumber overlay are just waiting commercial exploitation. Here again a continuous bonding operation and an all-purpose glue line of high durability is important. In the particleboard field, the development of a board for exterior service and molding processes for making sash frame for the building industry are important problems. Gluing then is the means of improving the utilization of our timber resource as well as keeping and expanding markets for wood. How big developments are in the future will hinge on imagination, incentive to undertake the necessary research, and development.

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