Improvement of mechanical stability of beechwood by radiation-induced in situ copolymerization of allyl glycidyl ether with acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate

Abstract

Acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), AGE + AN monomer, AGE + MMA monomer, and monomer mixtures were used to conserve and consolidate beechwood. After the impregnation of these monomer mixtures in the wood, polymerization was accomplished by gamma irradiation. The fine structures of wood + polymer(copolymer) composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The copolymer obtained from AGE + MMA monomer mixtures showed the optimum compatibility with the wood. The compressive strength and Brinell hardness numbers determined for untreated and treated wood samples indicated that the mechanical strength was greater in wood + polymer(copolymer) composites than in untreated wood and was greatest in the samples containing AGE + AN and AGE + MMA copolymers. All monomer couples used in this study increased the mechanical strength of the wood and protected the samples against aging. AGE + MMA copolymers were the most effective in protecting the wood against various environmental attacks. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1515–1523, 1999