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

Acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), AGE + AN monomer, AGE + MILIA monomer, and monomer mixtures were used to co nserve and consolidate beechwood. After the impregnation of these monomer m ixtures in the wood, polymerization was accomplished by gamma irradiation. The fine structures of wood + polymer(copolymer) composites were investigat ed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The copolymer obtained from AGE MMA monomer mixtures showed the optimum compatibility with the wood. The c ompressive strength and Brinell hardness numbers determined for untreated a nd treated wood samples indicated that the mechanical strength was greater in wood + polymer(copolymer) composites than in untreated wood and was grea test in the samples containing AGE + AN and AGE + MMA copolymers. All monom er couples used in this study increased the mechanical strength of the wood and protected the samples against aging. AGE + MMA copolymers were the mos t effective in protecting the wood against various environmental attacks. ( C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.