Wood-based products manufactured from fast-growing wood species such as eucalyptus have gained increasing attraction with the demand of using wood in architecture, furniture, and decoration. In this paper, a new type of wood scrimber based on eucalyptus veneers complexed with ferrous ions was prepared and its properties were characterized. The results showed that the presence of complexes did not affect the mechanical properties of eucalyptus wood scrimber, but made its surface more hydrophobic (contact angle increased by 38.48% and dimensional stability improved (thickness swelling rate decreased by 32.26%). Most importantly, the color of eucalyptus wood scrimber changed significantly, from the original brown to dark blue, and its anti-photoaging property also greatly improved. These advantages would make this type of wood scrimber based on the eucalyptus veneer complexes with ferrous ions more widely applicable in decorations and buildings.
Keywords: complexes; eucalyptus; ferrous ions; surface properties; wood scrimber.