Some Comparative Properties of Reconstituted Poplar Veneer Replicating Wenge With Classic Veneer of the Same Species

Eco-friendly alternative options to traditional wood veneer have become available around the world in reconstituted veneers. This paper is exploring some properties of reconstituted poplar veneer replicating wenge in indirect testing, which meant to evaluate the bending properties of veneered particleboards and in direct testing that envisaged the veneer density and water absorption. The properties of reconstituted poplar replicating wenge were compared with those of poplar and wenge veneer tested in the same conditions. The results show a slightly lower MOE and MOR for the particleboard veneered with reconstituted veneer compared to the classic veneer, in spite of a higher veneered panel density. The reason may be a discontinuous structure of the engineered veneer compared to the traditional veneer. However, the addition of veneer to particleboards has increased their MOE app. 1.4-1.7 times and doubled their MOR. Smaller standard deviation values of the MOE, MOR and density were recorded for the particleboard veneered with reconstituted poplar replicating wenge compared with the ones veneered with poplar or natural wenge, which may indicate a more homogenous structure for the reconstituted veneer compared with the natural veneers. The reconstituted poplar veneer replicating wenge had higher density than the poplar veneer and it absorbed less water. However, compared with natural wenge, the replica made of poplar had lower performances. Further tests could examine the finishing behaviour of reconstituted veneer and its resistance to scratches and spots.