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From 1930 to today: How much do you know about the evolution of acetylated wood?
Acetylated wood is a chemically modified wood that is highly resistant to biological attack and is non-toxic. This technology can be traced back to research in the 1920s, and the earliest patent was applied for by Austrian chemist H. Suida in 1930. With the development of science and technology, the processing technology of acetylated wood has been significantly improved and has become an important progress in the field of wood science.
During the acetylation process, the free hydroxyl groups of the wood react with acetic anhydride to form a stable chemical structure, which reduces the absorption of water.
Acetylated wood is manufactured through a chemical reaction called acetylation, a process that enhances the natural characteristics of the wood. The acetylation process significantly reduces the hydroxyl content in the wood, thereby reducing the moisture absorption of the wood and greatly improving the durability of the acetylated wood in the external environment.
Technological Development
Patents for acetylated wood in the 1930s pioneered this area of research. The U.S. Forest Products Laboratory then conducted further basic research on this technology, laying the foundation for future commercial production. The main types of wood that can be used for acetylation are wood containing lignin and cellulose, such as pine and beech.
Production process
The production process of acetylated wood is quite complex and involves injecting chemical reagents into the raw material of the wood. The process needs to be carried out in a temperature-controlled environment, usually at a high temperature of 120 degrees Celsius, so as to promote the chemical reaction between the wood and acetic anhydride. Another key step in the production process is the distillation step, which is used to remove unreacted acetic anhydride and acetic acid to ensure the non-toxicity of the final product.
Performance and Features
The key properties of acetylated wood are its good water resistance, resistance to biological decay, stability, etc. According to research, acetylated wood reduces expansion and contraction by 70% to 80%, and its insect resistance is greatly improved, making it resistant to almost all forms of decay.
Acetylated wood has a lower moisture balance point than untreated wood, which means it retains its shape and density in changing climate conditions.
Environmental impact
In addition to resistance to preservatives and insect pests, acetylated wood also has excellent resistance to environmental changes. Even in the face of sunlight, rain and other weather influences, the degradation process of acetylated wood is greatly slowed down. Therefore, acetylated wood is particularly suitable for use in outdoor structures and flooring, etc.
Industrial production and future prospects
Currently, Accsys Technologies is the leading producer of acetylated wood, with its Accoya brand being well known in the market. In 2024, Eastman Chemical restarted its acetylated wood production, showing the continued growth in potential demand for green building materials in the market.
ConclusionAfter more than 90 years of development, acetylated wood has gradually evolved from a laboratory technology into a mature industrial product and has received widespread attention in the market. This technology not only improves the performance of wood, but also opens up new possibilities for sustainable development. In the future, whether acetylated wood can become a mainstream building material depends on the further advancement of market demand and technological innovation.
