Wood Xylowall: New process to reduce water exchange by an intra-graft of polymer

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 236 (2005) 137-140

Anne Uyttenhove, Bernard Tilquin

UCL CHAM Analytical and radiolysis laboratory, CHAM unit, Avenue Mounier 72, 1200 Brussels, Belgium

Available online 24 May 2005.

Abstract Our research shows that poplar treated with selected monomer mixture and then irradiated at 50 kGy reduces the water exchange without adversely altering the desirable qualities of wood. Moreover, the environment is not polluted.

To retard changes in moisture content and dimensions, different commercial Radcures (UCB) were tested. A comparative study on the water retention showed significant reduction between non-treated and Xylowall wood for the species: poplar. The physical and mechanical measurements (density, volumetric shrinkage, elasticity, rupture, impact bending, hardness, compression strength) on poplar and pine show that the properties of the wood are not affected negatively by Xylowall treatment with irradiation. Moreover, the process does not discharge any toxic volatile residues into the atmosphere as proven by GC-MS trace analysis of heated wood samples.

The stereomicroscope by imagery reveals an impregnation of 0.5 mm on cross-section of darker-stained areas, and sometimes more due to the texture (the relative size and arrangement of the wood cells) of the wood.

Keywords: Wood; Preservation; Water retention; Irradiation; Poplar; Pine