Characterization and durability of wood-polymer composite prepared by in-situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene

摘要

The current study demonstrates the effect ofin-situformation of polymer from vinyl monomers on the morphology and durability of wood. Mixed monomers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) (1:1 molar ratio) were effectively vacuum/pressure impregnated into the cellular structure of a fast-growing poplar wood,Populus ussuriensisKom, and then underwent a catalyst-thermal process to polymerize and form wood-polymer composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation shows that polymer converted from monomers almost filled up wood cell cavities. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates that the polymer mainly physical interacted with wood matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests that thein-situgenerated polymer mainly remained as an amorphous form in cell lumen. The block of wood cavities by polymer coupled with the water resistance of polymer resulted in remarkable improvement of decay resistance and dimensional stability of wood.