Preparation and performance of translucent decorative surface materials based on technical veneer treated with potassium chloride-based deep eutectic solvent

Using oak-based technical veneer as the raw material, translucent technical veneers with natural wood textures, including mountain grain (TKU-T) and straight grain (TKU-L), were successfully prepared through a multi-step process. The veneers were first treated with potassium chloride-based deep eutectic solvents (DES), followed by impregnation with UV-curable coating. Excess coating on the veneer surfaces was subsequently removed, and the samples were cured under UV irradiation. A systematic evaluation of the performance of the prepared veneers was conducted. Microscopic analysis revealed that the UV coating successfully filled the fiber cell lumens of the technical veneer. The light transmittance of TKU-L and TKU-T reached 68.4% and 58.5%, while their maximum tensile strength in the grain direction achieved 47.97 MPa and 48.25 MPa, respectively. Compared to the untreated technical veneers, the optical transmittance and mechanical properties of the treated samples were significantly improved. The translucent technical veneers combined several advantages, including high light transmittance, low density, low cost, high tensile strength, and less pollution. Additionally, they retain the rich colors and textures of technical wood, while eliminating the defects of natural wood, which provides large surface coverage, and enhancing decorative potential.