Bending Capacity of Middle Joints of Upholstered Furniture Frames
This study evaluates the edgewise bending moment capacity of the four most frequently used middle joints in the upholstered furniture frames. The research included the following joints: Mortise and Tenon, double Dowel, Corner Blocks and double Gusset Plates, designed in the form of middle joints and made of beech and poplar solid wood. The test results indicated that regarding the edgewise bending force, the strongest middle joint was the double dowel joint made of beech wood (1896.9 N), while the respective joint made of poplar marked quite a low value of bending force (937.2 N). The strength of wooden corner blocks was proved to be quite powerful, made either of beech wood, poplar wood or the combination of the two wood species (beech: 1881.8 N, poplar: 1237.6 N, beech-poplar: 1783.6 N). The gusset plate joint made of beech resulted in weaker values (1378.2 N), compared to the dowel and corner block joints made of beech, whereas the same joint made of poplar demonstrated very satisfying values of edgewise bending force (1471.8 N). Finally, the mortise and tenon joint appeared to have the lowest strength, both in the case of beech (1306 N) and poplar (634 N). The highest coeffi cient of elasticity (CE) derived from double gusset plate joint, made of beech. All the joints showed good elasticity, except the mortise and tenon joint made of poplar, as well as, the dowel joint made of poplar, which recorded the lowest elasticity values of all. Generally, beech wood resulted in stronger and more elastic joints compared to poplar.
STRENGTH OF CORNER AND MIDDLE JOINTS OF UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE FRAMES CONSTRUCTED WITH BLACK LOCUST AND BEECH WOOD
Great interest is attracted lately in the utilization of Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) timber large quantities that are expected to be harvested and enter the market next years, since this species was included in the proposed and financed species for cultivation by the European Union. This study was carried out to evaluate the strength of the two most frequent joints in the upholstered furniture frames, constructed with black locust, using also beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) for comparative reason. In the specific research, the joints of mortise and tenon and double dowel were selected to be used and were constructed both in corner and middle joints, using two adhesives (PVAc and PUR). Bending moment capacity of the joint specimens was investigated, as well as the coefficient of elasticity of each joint.
Preparation of hydrophilic poly(vinyl butyral) hollow fiber membrane via thermally induced phase separation
Abstract Hydrophilic microporous hollow fiber membranes were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and three kinds of polyethylene glycols (PEG) with the molecular weight of 200, 400 and 600 were used as polymer and diluents. In all cases, liquid–liquid (L–L) phase separation occurred and asymmetric cellular structures with the smaller pores at the outer surface were obtained. The properties of membranes such as pore size, water permeability, solute rejection and intensity were investigated by changing molecular weight of PEG, concentration of PVB, composition of the bath and air gap distance. The smaller molecular weight of PEG, the more PEG in the bath and the shorter air gap distance resulted in the higher water permeability, the lower solute rejection property and the lower mechanical strength.