The Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology (JKWST) launched in 1973 as an official publication of the Korean Society of Wood Science and Technology has been served as a core of knowledges on wood science and technology.

Wood-fiber insulation boards can be utilized as a core construction material. They provide a comfortable and safe residential space and reduce energy consumption because of the ecofriendly nature and high heat insulation. In this study, wood-fiber insulation boards were prepared with different types of adhesive (melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), phenol-formaldehyde (PF), emulsifiable 4,4’ methylene diisocyanate (eMDI), and latex resins), and the physical and heat insulation properties, toxic chemical emissions, and combustion characteristics were analyzed. The different adhesive types had no major effects on the insulation. With regard to the toxic emissions, all wood-fiber insulation boards showed the best rating possible except for the PF resin. In the cone-calorimeter test, the wood-fiber insulation board prepared with MUF showed a lower total heat release, mean heat release rate, smoke release, and CO and CO2 yields than the other samples because of the early formation of the carbonized layer. Based on the comprehensive evaluation, the MUF adhesive is the best choice for wood-fiber insulation boards.

Bamboo can be used in a variety of ways, including as fuel and as household and construction materials. Due to its versatility, the material is of high economic value. This study investigated the fuel properties of six bamboo species grown in Indonesia. Each bamboo sample was carbonized at different temperatures. Proximate and ultimate analyses were carried out on the bamboo samples. The thermal maturity of the bamboo samples as a solid fuel was investigated by the van Krevelen diagram. The efficiency of bamboo at each carbonizing temperature was determined based on the char yield, energy densification rate, energy efficiency, and calorific value. The results showed that the ash and fixed carbon contents of carbonized bamboo increased with an increasing carbonization temperature; while the volatile matter decreased. Significant changes in the fuel properties were observed between 200 °C and 400 °C. Carbonized bamboos showed lower sulfur contents in comparison to other fossil fuels. Ampel bamboo showed a calorific value of 18 MJ/kg to 32 MJ/kg, which was the highest value among the samples. Bamboo carbonized at temperatures above 600 °C showed a thermal maturity of coal grade. The results of this study can be used for utilizing Indonesian bamboo as a fuel source.

The demand for noise control in residential environments is steadily increasing, but the currently available noise-reducing materials used in walls and floors are unsustainable and expensive. As an alternative, wood-fiber could be a good resource to manufacture eco-friendly acoustic materials. In this study, fiberboards were prepared by mixing wood-fibers (Pinus densiflora) with melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive, obtaining specimens with different final densities and resin contents. The acoustic, physical, and morphological properties of the fiberboards were investigated. The sound absorption was greatly influenced by the density of the fiberboard: lower densities showed higher sound absorption performances. Furthermore, the low-frequency absorption coefficient was higher for lower resin contents. The materials met all the criteria required by the Korean standards for fiberboards. As the density increased, the dimensional stability and the bending strength increased; in contrast, the physical properties were not affected by the resin content. Microscopy observations confirmed that specimens with different densities and resin contents had different porosities; the porosity was assumed to be the main property that governs the noise-reducing ability. Due to their eco-friendliness and inexpensiveness, these fiberboards offer themselves as efficient and effective alternative sound-absorbing materials.

The mechanical properties and termite and decay resistance performance of wood-based panel used in wooden houses were evaluated. The physical and mechanical properties, along with the resistance levels, of commonly used wood-based panels, including oriented strand board, structural particleboard, and particleboard for use in interior, were compared. The structural particleboard complied with the physical, mechanical, and formaldehyde emission standards of the International Organization for Standardization and Japanese Industrial Standard, surpassing the requirements for oriented strand board. The structural particleboard exhibited excellent water resistance and a consistent performance. Decay tests classified the particleboard and structural particleboard as “Resistant,” with mass losses of 7.82 to 12.72% (white rot) and 14.69 to 16.55% (brown rot). Pine (Pinus densiflora) and oriented strand board exhibited no decay resistance, with mass losses exceeding 45%. The particleboard and structural particleboard demonstrated superior termite resistance, resulting in 100% termite mortality in three days without chemical treatment. The structural particleboard exhibited excellent water, decay, and termite resistance, which can be an advantage in wooden-house construction in terms of maintenance.

Potential application of Sembilang bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) as a fuel source or an adsorbent was investigated, due to its large diameter, fast growth speed, and growth type. Samples of D. giganteus were carbonized at various temperatures, and then their physicochemical, fuel, and adsorption properties were analyzed and compared to the properties of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), which is widely used as a raw material for charcoal in Northeast Asia. The volume, weight, and density of the D. giganteus samples were greatly reduced between carbonization temperatures of 200 °C and 400 °C. It is possible that the high levels of SiO2 and K in D. giganteus may cause a high electric conductivity value in Dendrocalamus giganteus charcoal, which is a poor fuel source because of its high ash content and low calorific value. The acidity of D. giganteus disappeared at a carbonization temperature of 400 °C and the pH of D. giganteus increased up to 10.3. The adsorption power of D. giganteus, in terms of iodine and methylene blue, was higher than that of P. edulis. Based on the results of this experiment, the proper utilization of Sembilang bamboo charcoal was suggested as a chemical adsorbent.