Furfuryl alcohol impregnation for improved plasticization and fixation during the densification of wood

Abstract

Abstract The densification of wood leads to better mechanical properties, e.g., an increased hardness and dimensional stability. However, densified or shaped wood in contact with water springs back into its original shape without fixation. Hence, the aim of this study was the development of a combined densification and fixation procedure. Beech wood samples (Fagus sylvatica L.) were impregnated with a solution consisting of furfuryl alcohol and maleic anhydride. The compression of these impregnated samples to approximately 30% followed by a curing process in a heating press resulted in a significant increase of hardness and dimensional stability. The spring-back-effect was clearly reduced by the in situ polymerization of the furfuryl alcohol solution to furan resins.