Chemical Modification of Poplar Wood on the Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In this research, the chemical and multilayer hot-press drying was used to modify poplar wood. The timbers were compressed and dried in the multilayer hot-press drying kiln. The combination of chemical modification and hot-press drying can improve the mechanical properties. The influence of chemical and hot-press drying on the compressive strength parallel to grain, the bending strength, the density, the water absorbent and the crystallinity of poplar wood have been investigated in this study. The chemical treated conditions close to real technological regimes selected. The samples were impregnated with three conditions. The samples were dried in a hot-press drying kiln for 130hrs. It was showed that the urea carbamate and hot-press drying treatment increase the properties. The density and mechanical properties increased with increasing urea carbamate, while the water absorption decreased. The crystallinity is 37.03%, 37.11%, 37.78%, separately, compared with the natural wood of 35.09%. The TAG showed the thermal stability increased.