The densification of wood leads to better mechanical properties, e.g., an increased hardness and dimensional stability. However, densified or shaped wood in contact with water springs back into its original shape without fixation. Hence, the aim of this study was the development of a combined densification and fixation procedure. Beech wood samples (Fagus sylvatica L.) were impregnated with a solution consisting of furfuryl alcohol and maleic anhydride. The compression of these impregnated samples to approximately 30% followed by a curing process in a heating press resulted in a significant increase of hardness and dimensional stability. The spring-back-effect was clearly reduced by the in situ polymerization of the furfuryl alcohol solution to furan resins.
Testing of set recovery of unmodified and furfurylated densified wood by means of water storage and alternating climate testsAbstract: Densification is a well-known method for improving the mechanical properties of wood. In the present study, unmodified and furfurylated wood samples were densified and submitted to cyclic water storage tests and cyclic alternating climate tests. Swelling coefficients and spring-back data were determined for the evaluation of the quality of densification. The study shows that results depend on the test method applied. Simple water storage tests do not reflect the behavior of densified wood in the high humidity range. The spring-back data of unmodified samples are more influenced by the testing method than those of the furfurylated ones.
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