COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF ORIENTAL BEECH WOOD IMPREGNATED WITH COMMONLY USED BORATES

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine combustion characteristics of Oriental beech impregnated with commonly used borates. Average mass loss and temperature values of Oriental beech wood were determined according to ASTM-E 160-50 (1975) after combustion test. Boric acid (BA) and borax (BX), and sodium perborate (SP) were used as borates. The combustion test method was performed in three stages: Flame stage, without f lame stage, and glowing stage. Results indicated that mass loss and temperature values of borate-treated wood specimens were lower compared to untreated wood specimens at three combustion stages. Higher concentration levels of borates resulted in lower mass loss and temperature values of the Oriental beech wood.