PROJECTS

SCOPE

The wood industry and its derivatives are in full expansion. The emergence of new foreign markets and the acceptance of domestic manufacturing is, in this regard, a positive sign. Marquetry is an ornamentation technique of applying pieces of veneer, with different colours, to a create geometric or organic patterns. This type of product has an important historical value, which is part of the heritage of Portuguese furniture and construction of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The MARQUETRY4WORLD project aims to develop new digitally assisted manufacturing techniques and new added value applications for marquetry. It is also important to highlight the importance of preserving the product´s heritage value and aesthetic for use in different sectors of luxury markets.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Strengthen research, technological development and innovation.

Development of new manufacturing techniques, new forms of application, and new functional characteristics of marquetry that address new sectors and new market segments with demonstrated commercials arguments.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Preliminary studies - Development of the concept of a new marquetry product, and the definition of functional and safety requirements, with a view to its optimisation and application on different surfaces. Market surveys related to the emergence of new competing alternatives and possible requirements imposed by new application sectors are also planned.

Study of Materials, Production Conditions and Modes of Application - Definition of materials and technologies to be integrated in the manufacture of marquetry products and verification of production and application conditions. At this stage, it is intended to evaluate new materials that can be used as a basis for the application of marquetry, as well as new bonding and finishing products. Samples will be produced and tested to characterise their physical, chemical, mechanical and durability properties.

Manufacturing Approach - New digitally assisted industrial production techniques will be defined and implemented. Preliminary tests are expected to be carried out to evaluate the behaviour of wood veneers during laser cutting and pressing process. The processes of assembly of the marquetry products will also be explored and defined, as well as guidelines taking into account its application on organic and/or complex geometric surfaces.

Experimentation and Validation – Models and prototypes will be built that will be submitted to experimental campaigns, in laboratory and under real conditions, which will allow to evaluate the final performance of the new marquetry solutions. The "BIM" technology of the product will also be implemented.

Dissemination of Project Results – The promotion and dissemination of the results of project results will be done through different generalist communication channels; participation in technological fairs and scientific events; preparation of technical data sheets, catalogues, brochures, flyers, roll-ups; publication and presentation of scientific articles in congresses or symposiums and seminars.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• New concept of marquetry production based on updated scientific and technological knowledge;
• New marquetry products, numerically and experimentally accessed with regard to physical, mechanical, chemical and environmental performance, with a view to their application in different sectors;
• Marquetry solutions adapted for application on unconventional bases and irregular surfaces, making their use feasible for complex geometry applications;
• New lines of geometric and organic patterns and new graphic combinations that will increase the value of new products;
• Increased efficiency in the manufacturing and assembly processes and reduction of waste associated with the manufacturing process.

MAIN RESULTS ARCHIVED:

Automation of the manufacturing process
The introduction of laser technologies for cutting the wood sheets contributed to improve the execution of the final marquetry product, to reduce production time and to reduce waste production, ensuring the high quality of the products. The consortium believes that the automation achieved in the manufacturing process will allow the scale of production to increase, to improve the execution of the final product and to reduce the waste of raw materials, contributing to the product now being able to be applied in more demanding sectors, such as construction, shipbuilding and aviation.

Application of marquetry on unconventional bases
With the aim of extending the possibilities of applying marquetry to unconventional bases that are relevant, in particular, to the construction sector, studies were carried out during the project that demonstrated the feasibility of applying marquetry to various substrates. In order to ensure the appropriate quality and durability of the marquetry products, the consortium decided to apply the decorative sheets to a pressed wood base which, in turn, is applied to the different types of substrates. This ensures better control of hygrothermal conditions, as well as surface characteristics and factors that can produce dimensional variations with a potential negative impact on the final result. It also reduces the variety of adhesives to be used in different applications.

Use of the product in different applications
During the project, an exhaustive survey was carried out of potential applications and the respective technical requirements to be imposed on the product. It was found that there was a high business potential related to applications in the construction sector (e.g. doors, floors and wall panels), where the need for organic shapes is not so demanding. In any case, several conceptual studies were carried out in order to develop marquetry products that could be applied to surfaces with more complex shapes.

Resistance of marquetry in applications subjected to wearing actions
As part of this project, laboratory tests were carried out on the various materials involved in the production of marquetry (finish and veneer) in order to optimize the performance of this product, particularly with regard to its mechanical resistance when subjected to continuous wear and tear. Abrasion resistance tests were carried out in accordance with EN 13329:2016+A2: 2021 using a Taber abrasimeter, and an AC2 class was obtained for a number of revolutions greater than 1000. Products with class AC2 are suitable for low-use domestic floors such as halls, closets, corridors or bedrooms. In order to assess the safety of marquetry products when applied to floors, the slip resistance was also determined using the friction pendulum. The average value obtained for the marquetry samples was 41. According to the Health and Safety Executive (UK) and the UK Slip Resistance Group, slip resistance values obtained by the friction pendulum method above 35 correspond to a low risk of slipping.

Applicability of marquetry in outdoor environments and with extreme biotic environments
In order to broaden the range of potential applications for marquetry, particularly its use in outdoor environments, it was considered essential to study the influence of wide temperature ranges, high levels of humidity, as well as exposure to fungi and solar radiation. Resistance to fungal growth studies, carried out through indirect inoculation with different fungal species (e.g. Penicillium citrinum, Aureobasidium melanogenum and Alternaria alternata) in a highly condensing atmosphere (32.5±1°C/95±3% RH), showed that the developed marquetry solution is highly resistant to fungal growth. To assess the adhesive strength of the materials that make up the solution under demanding environmental conditions, 14 hygrothermal cycles were carried out, ranging from 0 °C to 70 °C and 95% of relative humidity. Pull-off tests were carried out on the initial specimens and after accelerated ageing to determine the adhesive strength. The results showed that adhesive strength does not decrease significantly with hygrothermal cycles. Resistance to exposure to solar radiation was studied on specimens subjected to 500 hours of artificial accelerated ageing by UV radiation (xenon lamp). Color variation was characterized using the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space, in accordance with EN ISO 11664-4. The color difference obtained, evaluated in terms of ∆E, was around 10.