Friction welding of wood – A fast, adhesive-free bonding technology for prefabricated elements in timber construction

Up to now chemical adhesives based on polyurethane are used for the assembling of timber planks to large-scale structural elements, in particular cross-laminated timber panels (CLT), which opened new possibilities for architects and engineers in timber construction. The use of these adhesives still implicates, beside others, concerns about their impact on health and environment during application as well for later disposal. In order to overcome the geometrical limitations of timber by maintaining its physical and ecologic properties, adhesive-free friction welded bonds are a promising alternative to glued connections. The presented research focuses on the structural behaviour of the welded joint, its longevity and the numerical prediction of its load bearing capacity.