The tensile properties of molding products obtained by the condensation of various tree barks and phenol by using sulfuric acid as a catalyst

The barks of several tree species namely, calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten), cedar (Cedrus libani) and Turk oak (Quercus cerris) were phenolated using sulfuric acid as a catalyst at 130 °C for 1 h. Phenolated barks were cured using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). The tensile properties of the phenolated bark-based molding materials were evaluated by comparing those with phenolated poplar wood. Results show that the tensile properties of the phenolated bark-based moldings are affected by the concentrations of the catalyst.