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Screw Withdrawal Resistance from WPC Profiles Used in Door Frame Production
This study investigates the screw withdrawal resistance (SWR) of hollow wood–plastic composite (WPC) door frames, which serve as moisture-resistant alternatives to traditional wood-based materials. The tested WPC, characterised by a density of 1.33 g/cm3 and a polymer-bound lignocellulosic filler, exhibits superior dimensional stability and low water absorption—under 4% after 24 h of immersion. The research focuses on how the unique chambered geometry of these industrial profiles affects the anchoring of 20 mm conical wood screws used to mount essential fittings such as hinges and lock catches. The SWR was determined using a universal testing machine in accordance with the modified EN 320 standards. Results indicate that the installation location within the profile significantly dictates load-bearing capacity: the band profile (lock catch) achieved an average SWR of 525.65 N, while the beam profile (hinge) averaged only 275.25 N. This performance gap arises because screws anchor only into internal “ribs” rather than the full material depth. Since these values are considerably lower than those of traditional particleboard (~1364–1775 N), the study highlights a critical need to optimise screw dimensions to ensure the structural stability and safety of hollow WPC door systems.
Improving the stiffness of the corner connections in wooden door frames
The research aimed to determine the strength and stiffness of corner joints in interior door frames, depending on their construction and the modifications made to the design of the door frame joints. Initially, two models were compared: model 1, with two connectors using a clamping screw at an angle of 45°, and model 0, with a single connector using a cam joint at an angle of 90°. In all tests, model 1 exhibited significantly better mechanical properties. To improve the performance of model 0, three alternative construction models (A, B, and C) were proposed by changing the position of the door frame mounting holes. In the compression test, model A showed an increased bending moment compared to model 0, while models B and C showed no such improvement. In the tension test, the bending moment values remained at a similar level across all construction variants, including model 0. In terms of bending moment, the best result in compression was achieved by model A (48.26 Nm), and in tension by model B (48.72 Nm). The highest stiffness was demonstrated by model 1 (up to 42.38 kNm/rad), while among the alternative models, model C showed the best result in tension (33.98 kNm/rad). Due to the favourable increase in bending moment under compression in model A and the insignificant changes under tension across all variants, model A is considered the optimal solution. To enhance the strength of the door frame, offset holes can be applied as proposed in this model.