Effect of chemical modification with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate on the properties of pinewood

Abstract

Pinewood was impregnated with styrene and in combination with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as a cross-linking monomer. After the impregnation polymerization was accomplished by catalyst heat treatment. The conditions of impregnation such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, time of impregnation and vacuum were varied to get the optimum polymer loading. Impregnation with styrene-GMA improved physical properties such as water absorption, swelling and hardness, compared to those of styrene alone. Water vapour absorption and swelling in water vapour at 90% RH also improved on treatment. FT-IR<b style=""> </b>spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of fractured wood samples showed the interaction between wood and the polymers.