Dimensional stability of several wood species treated with vinyl monomers and polyethylene glycol-1000

Alma M., Hafizoglu H., Maldas D.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS, vol.32, pp.93-99, 1996 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32
  • Publication Date: 1996
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.93-99
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Several wood species (e.g., poplar, beech, alder, pine, fir and spruce) were successfully treated with three agents (e.g., styrene (St), a St and methylmethacrylate mixture (St-MMA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-1000). The polymerization of St and St-MMA monomers in situ was performed using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The maximum weight percent gain (WPG), 64.17%, was obtained for a lowest density wood species, e.g., poplar in the case of St-MMA copolymer. On the other hand, lowest value in WPG (about 15%) was obtained for beech with highest density. PEG-1000 treatment gave the highest antishrink efficiency (ASE) (about 84%) for poplar, followed by St and MMA mixture and St ones, respectively. However, maximum increase in density was achieved with St-MMA treatment. In general, the lower density, the better performance in dimensional stability.