Abstract
The hygroexpansion and anisotropy of wood limit its application in construction and wood products industry. Zinc chloride–silicone oil was use to decrease the hygroscopicity and improve the dimensional stability of wood at 80 °C, 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C. The effects of the treatment on the dimensional stability, chemical structure, thermal degradation, morphology of wood were evaluated, and the mechanism was determined. Results indicated that the zinc chloride–silicone oil treatment at 80 °C improved the dimensional stability and decreased the hygroscopicity of wood. The tangential, radial, and volumetric swelling coefficients of the treated wood decreased by 9.7%, 33.5%, and 18.2%, respectively, relative to those of the untreated wood. Zinc chloride–silicone oil treatment also changed the chemical structure of wood by degrading the wood components and decreasing the moisture absorption groups. Moreover, zinc chloride–silicone oil treatment significantly influenced the thermal degradation of wood, as samples treated with zinc chloride–silicone oil at 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C presented sharp peaks around 511 °C, 501 °C and 473 °C. The control group exhibited a more common derivative thermogravimetric curve with a sharp peak at 375 °C. In addition, the silicone oil could impregnate wood, occlude moisture passage, and prevent the movement of moisture in wood. This method can be applied in building and wood industries to expand the applications of wood products.
Highlights
Wood is a natural and renewable lignocellulosic material characterized by a high strength-to-weight ratio, low energy cost for processing, environmental sustainability[1,2,3], natural degradation, and regulation of air temperature and humidity[4]
The samples were evaluated after treatment, and the results indicated that the samples treated at 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C were so degraded that its surface was carbonized, the sample failed to retain its original shape, and its structure was broken by the catalyst of zinc chloride at high temperature; the samples treated at 80 °C in a silicone oil bath retain its intact structure
Three peaks were observed for all samples
Summary
Wood is a natural and renewable lignocellulosic material characterized by a high strength-to-weight ratio, low energy cost for processing, environmental sustainability[1,2,3], natural degradation, and regulation of air temperature and humidity[4]. As a natural material containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, wood is prone to hygroexpansion and anisotropy[7,8], it shrinks and swells when equilibrium moisture content (EMC), which is controlled by environmental temperature and humidity, changes with the environmental conditions. Wood defects, such as cracks, transformation, and decay generated[9], and markedly shortening the service life and value of wood products, limiting their wide application. The effects of zinc chloride–silicone oil treatment on the dimensional stability, chemical components, and thermal decomposition behavior of wood were evaluated to broaden the application of wood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
