Water vapour sorption behaviour and physico-mechanical properties of methyl methacrylate (MMA)- and MMA–styrene-modified batai (Paraserianthes falcataria) wood

• Published in: Holzforschung Vol. 75; no. 5; pp. 444 - 451
• Main Authors: Anwar Uyup, Mohd Khairun, Sahari, Siti Hanim, Jalaludin, Zaihan, Husain, Hamdan, Lee, Seng Hua, Yusoh, Alia Syahirah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 26.05.2021; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Acrylics; chemical modification; equilibrium moisture content; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Hailwood–Horrobin; Hygroscopicity; Hysteresis; Hysteresis loops; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Mechanical properties; Moisture content; Paraserianthes falcataria; Physical properties; Polymethyl methacrylate; relative humidity; Sorption; Styrene; Styrenes; vapour sorption; Water content; Water vapor
• ISSN: 0018-3830; 1437-434X
• DOI: 10.1515/hf-2020-0005

The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and MMA–styrene in treating batai ( ) wood. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, physico-mechanical properties of the treated wood, and moisture sorption isotherm using dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) apparatus. Physico-mechanical properties of the modified batai wood were improved. The MMA-treated batai wood showed better improvement in terms of physical and mechanical properties compared to the MMA–styrene-treated batai wood. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) for untreated batai wood was higher than that of treated samples. At 95% RH, the EMC for untreated batai wood was 20.7%, whereas the EMC for MMA- and MMA–styrene-treated samples was 7.9 and 8.8%, respectively. The findings indicate that the modified batai wood absorbed less moisture compared to the untreated batai wood. Moreover, the untreated batai wood had larger hysteresis loop than the treated batai wood. The highest hysteresis value was observed at 80% RH for untreated batai wood (3.8%), followed by MMA–styrene-treated batai wood (1.7%) and MMA-treated batai wood (1.2%). Both MMA and MMA–styrene proved to be effective treatments for batai wood because they reduced its hygroscopicity.