Using kraft black liquor on coconut wood (Cocos nucifera) through impregnation with vacuum pressure method

Abstract

This study was conducted to enhance the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the short cycle coconut wood (SC-CTL) by impregnating with the kraft black liquor (BL) and black liquor/phenol formaldehyde (BL/PF) resin. The SC-CTL was impregnated with different kraft BL and BL/PF resin concentrations (i.e., 10, 15, 20 and 25% w/w) using the vacuum pressure method. Dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of the impregnated SC-CTL were analyzed according to the standards. The results showed that the impregnation of BL/PF resin into SC-CTL have improved the coconut wood’s dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties. The morphology of coconut wood’s cells loaded with BL/PF resin clearly showed a full penetration. The results also suggested that the addition of 20% BL/PF resin was sufficient to enhance the dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of SC-CTL. Thus, it is evident that the BL has the potentiality to be used as impregnant in SC-CTL through impregnation with vacuum-pressure method.