A Review of the Advances Made in Improving the Durability of Welded Wood against Water in Light of the Results of African Tropical Woods Welding

Abstract

Wood plays a major role in the production of furniture and wooden structures. Nevertheless, in this process, the massive use of adhesives and plural connectors remains a definite problem for health and the environment. Therefore, wood welding is a breakthrough in this respect. This paper reviews the applications of wood welding in furniture and construction and then examines advances in improving the durability of welded wood against water. Our contribution also highlights the need to join African tropical woods using the rotational friction welding technique. According to our results, these woods present interesting chemical singularities, which could pro-vide solutions to the water vulnerability of the welded wood. Moreover, the use of such a joining method would first free the Cameroonian furniture industry from the chemical industry, secondly position it at the forefront of new eco-design trends and thirdly make it competitive with other countries in the Central African sub-region. These works enrich the long and rich bibliography on the technique of wood welding, which has long been con-spicuous by its absence of tropical woods.