Effects of some impregnation chemicals and water repellents on the hygroscopicity of beech wood

Abstract

Salt based chemicals tend to increase in hygroscopicity of wood. This phenomenon is known as one of the disadvantages of these salts in wood preservation in spite of their protective effectiveness against biological agents and fire. This study was designed to determine the rate of hygroscopicity of both some impregnation chemicals treated and untreated beech wood. Impregnation solutions of boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) were prepared by water and polyethylene glycol (PEG-400). Additionally, some water repellents (WR) such as paraffin wax (P), Styrene (St), methylmethacrylate (MMA) and icocyanate (ICO) were used to decrease the hygroscopicity level of beech wood. Results indicated that paraffin wax and water repellents were considerably lowered the hygroscopicity level of beech wood. Four homogeneity groups were formed form the statistical analysis as follows (from the most hygroscopic treatments to lesser, respectively): 1. PEG-400 2. PEG-400+BA 3. WR +BA 4. P+BA+BX. Except for PEG-400, all the treatment chemicals decreased the hygroscopicity levels of beech wood compare to that of untreated control specimens.