Moisture Adsorption and Swelling in Polyethylene Glycol and Polymethyl Methacrylate Treated Wood at High Relative Humidity

Authors

  • Howard N. Rosen

Keywords:

Adsorption, <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i>, <i>Acer saccharinum</i>, diffusion, antishrink efficiency

Abstract

The rates and amounts of swelling and moisture adsorption at 97% relative humidity and 24 C in untreated, polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 1000 (PEG-1000)-treated, and polymerized methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA)-treated yellow-poplar and silver maple were compared. Swelling and moisture adsorption were 60 to 90% slower in MMA-treated wood than in untreated wood. Antishrink efficiencies of MMA-treated wood ranged from 9 to 21%. The rate of moisture adsorption in PEG-1000-treated wood was faster than in untreated wood. Considerable moisture was adsorbed by the PEG-1000 in the cell cavities of the PEG-1000-treated wood. Antishrink efficiencies ranged from 82 to 92%.

References

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Published

2007-06-05

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Section

Research Contributions