Some physical, wood polymer biological, mechanical, and fire properties of composite (WPC) pretreated with boric acid and borax mixture

Abstract

Wood polymer composite (WPC) was obtained by vinyl monomers such as styrene (ST), methylmethacrylate (MMA), and their mixture (50:50; volume:volume) of treated sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) mixture was impregnated into wood at 1% concentration prior to monomer treatment. Wood polymer composite with and without BA and BX mixture pretreatment was evaluated in terms of some physical, biological, mechanical, and fire properties. Vinyl monomers considerably improved physical properties of wood such as increased antiswelling efficiency (ASE), specific gravity (SG), and reduced water absorption (WA) levels of wood. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were also higher than that of untreated control specimens. The treated wood proved to be resistant against decay fungi, Tyromycetes palustris and Coriolus versicolor. Boric acid and borax mixture pretreatment imparted WPC total resistance against both decay fungi. Although, ASE, MOE, and MOR levels of WPC pretreated with BA and BX mixture were reduced in some extent, it improved fire resistance of wood. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.