Abstract

Based on product semantics, this study investigated how the tactile attributes of wood and wood-based composites are perceived and interpreted semantically. The wood-based samples included ash, birch, elm, oak, pine, OSB (oriented strand board), two wood pulp-reinforced polylactide composites, Comp A and B and one wood-fiber reinforced polypropene composite, Comp C. The subjects rated the samples by the descriptive words natural, exclusive, eco-friendly, rough, inexpensive, reliable, warm, modern, snug and solid. The most significant differences between the samples were found for roughness and for the descriptors, reliable, natural and solid. A principal component analysis yielded three attributes based on the tactile perceptions: reliable, old-fashioned and smooth. The solid wood pieces were perceived as natural and oak was perceived as being exclusive. The composite materials presented a greater variation in terms of perceived attributes than the wood specimens. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Wood design; Consumer study; Perceptions; Sensory analysis

Published in

Materials and Design
2013, Volume: 52, pages: 300-307

SLU Authors

• Roos, Anders

  • Department of Forest Products, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Materials Engineering
Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology
Paper, Pulp and Fiber Technology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2013.05.069

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/44441