Modification of wood microwave energy

Modified wood manufactured with traditional technologies is increasingly used for bearings fabrication. They quite effectively replace bearings made of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, especially in friction units of machines, mechanisms and technological equipment that operate in abrasive, polluted environments and harsh conditions of the Far North at temperatures reaching minus 60 0С. Bearings made of modified wood also effectively replace rolling bearings if they operate in abrasive environments, when it is impossible to block the access of dust, sand, cement, oxide scale, dirt and other abrasives to the friction surface in the bearing or when complex and expensive cartridge-type bearings should be made. Long-term experience has proved that to create new materials it is necessary to start with deep study of their designated area and to establish priority quality indicators that determine the performance, reliability and durability of products made from these materials. The aim of the research is to develop a theory of creating high, environmentally friendly, energy-saving technologies for modifying wood with technological regulation (hardening) of the priority indicators of the quality of modified wood used for bearings manufacture. Our exploratory research revealed that heat treatment of wood with microwave energy in the process of pressing and impregnation of modified wood with new composite modifiers may result in a new, even more effective substitute for non-ferrous and ferrous metals in friction units of machines, mechanisms and technological equipment operating in difficult conditions. The authors' theoretical study showed that wood heat treatment with microwave energy is effective not only because it accelerates the removal of moisture (shortening the drying cycle), but it also accelerates the relaxation of internal stresses arising during compaction of wood, as well as hardening of modified wood, i.e. its "hardening".