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In this study, the application of microwave treatment for wood plasticisation and its densification for flooring system purposes is presented. Microwave plasticisation was carried out using a continuous laboratory device at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, and the testing samples made from European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood were plasticised at different power modes (2 kW, 3.5 kW, and 5 kW). Afterwards, the densification (ratio 50%) of pre-treated samples was performed. The surface temperature (Ts) and average moisture content (MC) of the samples were measured after plasticisation. The results showed the influence of the chosen mode on MC decrease and rapid Ts increase. Thus, the densification of testing samples is affected by different initial conditions that occur during the plasticisation process (MC and Ts). The Brinell hardness (HB) of the densified samples increased by about 57% (2 kW), 103% (3.5 kW), and 83% (5 kW), compared with control samples. These results provide a better understanding of microwave plasticisation usability and its potential optimisation and application in the wood flooring industry.

This study evaluated the effect of microwave radiation on the fluid permeability and compression strength parallel to the grain of beech false heartwood. European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was selected, and samples of false heartwood with dimensions of 30×20×20 mm3 were used. The microwave treatment was carried out in a laboratory device at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The testing samples were divided into three groups (untreated, treated at 20-s intervals, and treated at 30-s intervals). The permeability was measured in the axial direction using distilled water. The coefficient of specific permeability was calculated using Darcy’s law. The results showed that the coefficient of specific permeability increased by up to 159% in comparison with untreated samples. The compression strength parallel to the grain decreased by up to 15%.