Impacts of impregnation with Imersol-Aqua on the compression strength of some solid wood materials

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of impregnation with Imersol-Aqua on the compression strength of some solid wood materials. For this aim, Oriental beech ( Fagus orientalis Lipsky), European oak ( Quercus petrea Liebl.), Scotch pine ( Pinus sylvestris Lipsky), Uludag fir ( Abies Bornmülleriana Mattf.), Oriental spruce ( Picea orientalis Lipsky) and Lombardy poplar ( Populus nigra Lipsky) wood samples were prepared according to TS 2595 and impregnated with Imersol-Aqua, commonly being used in construction wood materials by the method of short, medium and long-term of dipping according to ASTM D 1413 and producers’ definition. After the impregnation process, compression strength was measured according to TS 2595. Consequently, among the non-impregnated wood materials, the highest compression strength was obtained in beech and pine samples. Compression strength at this situation from the highest to lowest can be enumerated beech, pine, oak, spruce, fir and poplar. With regard to the impregnation period, the sequence form the highest to lowest was as long-term, medium-term and short-term dipping. In the interaction of wood material and impregnation period, the highest compression strength values were obtained in Scotch pine (71.220 N mm −2) impregnated with long-term dipping method whereas the lowest in Lombardy poplar (35.710 N mm −2) impregnated with short-term dipping method. In consequence, in the massive constructions and furniture elements that the compression strength after the impregnation is of great concern, long-term impregnation of solid wood material could be recommended.