Impact of Chemical Modification on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Tropical Wood Material

摘要

Five types of selected tropical light hardwoods were chemically modified with benzene diazonium salt to improve their physical and mechanical properties. Benzene diazonium salt underwent a coupling reaction with wood which was confirmed through FT-IR analysis. The compressive modulus of the treated wood increased, whereas modulus of rupture was shown to decrease on treatment. The modified wood samples had higher hardness (Shore D) values compared to that of the control ones.