Zhiming Yu

Properties of Colloidal Silica‐Fixed and Propionylated Wood Composites (I): Preparation and Dimensional Stability of the Composites

Abstract Colloidal silica‐fixed and propionylated dual‐treated wood (CSPW) composites were prepared and their dimensional stability evaluated. The results indicated that: (1) colloidal silica only–treated wood composites had minimal dimensional stability improvement, and they could be propionylated similarly to untreated wood specimens and (2) CSPW composites had a high antiswelling efficiency (ASE) during liquid water or moisture vapor absorption relative to propionylated only–treated wood, and a lower moisture excluding efficiency (MEE) during the moisture vapor absorption than propionylated wood.

Properties of Colloidal Silica‐Fixed and Propionylated Wood Composite (II): Flame Resistance and Other Properties of the Composites

Abstract The flame resistance, color change, strength, and decay resistance of colloidal silica‐fixed (CSW), propionylated only, and propionylated dual‐treated wood (CSPW) composites were evaluated. The oxygen indexes of the CSPW composites were similar to the CSW composites but much higher than those of untreated woods and the propionylated woods. The oxygen indexes increased with an increase in the weight percent gain of the colloidal silica (WPGcsi) in the composites, showing an effective reduction in the flammability by the fixation of colloidal silica. The CSPW composites showed little or no difference in the modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture compared with the untreated woods, indicating little or no significant reduction in strength properties of the wood specimens. The color difference of the wood specimens before and after treatment changed slightly. Minimal weight losses of the CSPW composites occurred upon fungal attack by T. versicolor and F. palustris, showing good decay resistance by propionylation of the composites.