Some wood polymer composites ii

Abstract

Abstract Several samples of casuarina and other sorts of wood were impregnated in methyl methacrylate (MMA) or its mixture with some other specific multifunctional monomers, such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA). The monomer or mixture of monomers in the treated samples was polymerized either by being subjected to γ‐radiation from a 60 Co‐γ‐cell or by using 0.1 wt.‐% of benzoyl peroxide, or by employing both methods. The use of swelling agents was found to influence the gained monomer, polymer and the physical properties of the treated products, though the specific multifunctional monomer role has not yet clearly been identified, due to the variation in uniformity of distribution of wood constituents from one test piece to the other. 30kJ/kg were found to be the optimal dose for the highest compression strength. With 2000 and a 500 curie‐ 60 Co sources, we found the same effect, and came to the conclusion that the dose rate was not important in the used ranges.