Flexural Properties of Heat-Treatment Samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) Wood Impregnated by Boron and Methyl Metacrylate

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the application of boron compounds, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and heat treatment (HT) on changes in the density, moisture content, and flexural properties of samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) wood. Samama wood was impregnated with borax (BX) and boric acid (BA) using a pressure method at 5 atm for 4 h. Afterwards, the wood was impregnated with MMA at the same pressure and duration. Finally, the samama wood was given HT at 90 °C and 180 °C. The results indicate that there was a weight gain of 93.4% in the wood impregnated using BA and MMA monomer and HT at 90 °C. Consequently, the wood’s density increased by 82.3%. Increased MOE and MOR percentages of 32.2% and 29.4%, respectively, were also found. HT at 180 °C degraded the wood components and MMA, and consequently, the density, MOE, and MOR also decreased. The wood impregnated by BX, BA, and MMA, and subjected to HT also had decreased moisture content (MC). This research recommends that the application of boron (BX, BA) should be combined with an MMA monomer and HT at 90 °C as an alternative method to improve samama wood quality. If darker color is preferable, HT should be conducted at 180 °C.