Fabrication of highly stable and durable furfurylated wood materials. Part I: process optimization

Abstract

Abstract In order to improve dimensional stability and durability of wood, furfurylation of poplar and Chinese fir wood using newly developed furfuryl alcohol (FA) formulation combined with a common vacuum and pressure impregnation process was studied. An orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the furfurylation process for the two wood species. The weight percent gain (WPG), equilibrium moisture content (EMC), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), as well as resistance to mold, decay fungi, and termites were evaluated. The results showed that nearly all the properties of the furfurylated wood could be improved to various extents. The average ASE of the furfurylated Chinese fir and poplar could reach as high as 80, 71, 92% and 79, 90, 75% in tangential and radial directions, and by volume, respectively, higher than most previously reported wood modification processes. Furthermore, the modified wood had excellent biological durability, with nearly 100% mold resistance, strong decay and termite resistance. Finally, processing parameters with 50% FA, 105–115 °C curing temperature, and 5–8 h curing time were therefore recommended for pilot-scale production of furfurylated poplar and Chinese fir wood based on range analysis.