Hot Pressing of Wood-Based Composites: A Review

Abstract

Abstract The hot-pressing process is a vital step in the manufacture of wood-based composites and directly affects the properties and quality of the final products. During hot pressing, the heat and mass transfer process interact with each other, coupling with the mechanical deformation process of wood-based composites under the high-temperature interaction. In addition, the curing of resin, although governed by the laws of chemical reactions, can result in the release or absorption of heat and water, which may, in turn, affect the heat and mass transfer process. Realizing its complex and coupling nature, many scientists have conducted long-term, multisided and multilevel studies to better understand hot pressing. This work reviews the development of wood composite hot pressing, including the heating methods of hot pressing, the mechanism of heat and mass transfer, the hot-pressing models, and the experimental testing of the internal environment. The shortage of current studies and potential directions for future research are also discussed.