Acetylation of Aspen and Alder Wood - Preliminary Tests

Abstract

An experimental study of the physical and mechanical properties of untreated and acetylated wood was conducted. The effect of acetylation on wood density was investigated. It was established that the density of the samples generally decreases after acetylation. As the level of acetylation increases, the fiber saturation point decreases in both conifers and hardwoods. Acetylation of wood helps to reduce the sorption properties of wood. The amount of swelling was analyzed. For untreated wood (aspen and alder), the volume swelling index is at the level of 7.5 %. Acetylation contributes to the stability of the geometric dimensions of structures, as the volume swelling index for aspen decreased by 4 times, for alder – by 2 times. An increase in the amount of swelling along the fibers is observed in all samples. Regarding the nature of the destruction of the samples during compression, the aspen (both untreated and acetylated) only crumples without visible signs of destruction. In some samples of alder, partial exfoliation is visible. It was found that acetylation has an ambiguous effect on the mechanical properties of wood of both species.