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The magic of wood acetylation: Why does this treatment make wood so antibacterial and durable?
Acetylated wood is undoubtedly one of the latest revolutionary products in the wood industry. This wood has been chemically modified to give it excellent antibacterial properties and durability. Over time, the rise of this treatment has attracted attention because it not only extends the life of the wood but also offers significant environmental advantages.
The acetylation process changes the structure of the polymer in the wood through reaction with acetic anhydride, making the wood resistant to various biological attacks.
The raw material for acetylated wood mainly consists of wood containing lignin and cellulose, usually pine. During this process, the hydroxyl groups in the wood are reduced, and about 80% to 90% of the hydroxyl groups no longer form hydrogen bonds with moisture, which means that the water absorption of the wood is greatly reduced, thereby improving its dimensional stability sex and natural resilience.
Technological development
As early as 1930, Austrian chemist H. Suida had applied to the Patent Office for a patent on wood acetylation. Subsequently, in the 1940s, researchers at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory conducted more basic research on this. These studies laid the foundation for the subsequent commercial production of acetylated wood.
Acetylated wood is not a new invention, but the result of years of research and experimentation.
Production process
The production of acetylated wood involves injecting a solution of acetic anhydride into the wood, usually in a vacuum or pressurized environment. This process involves heating wood and acetic anhydride to about 120°C to promote a chemical reaction. Although the production process of acetylated wood is tedious, the results are worthwhile as the wood exhibits exceptional durability and stability.
Extent of acetylation
During the acetylation process, it is critical to ensure the degree of acetic anhydride incorporation. Typically, a degree of acetylation of at least 20%-22% is required to achieve high-strength wood. The achievement of this ratio affects the mechanical properties of the wood and its resistance to biological attack.
Properties and Characteristics
Acetylation not only changes the chemical composition of wood but also improves various physical properties. This gives acetylated wood both structural and aesthetic advantages. For example, acetylation can cause changes in wood color and increases in density and hardness. In addition, the acetylation process also reduces the wood's absorption of moisture, resulting in the equilibrium moisture content of acetylated wood being only about 10-12%.
This process makes acetylated wood resistant to mold and insect damage, helping to extend the life of the wood.
Conclusion
In today's trend of pursuing environmental protection and sustainable development, the emergence of acetylated wood has undoubtedly brought a new trend to the wood industry. Due to its exceptional properties, acetylated wood is suitable for a variety of uses including outdoor construction, flooring, and decking. Its durability and low maintenance requirements make it an ideal choice, and it also makes one think: will more wood products in the future use this environmentally friendly process?
