Improving the weathering properties of heat-treated wood by acetylation

Dong Xing; Yao Li; D. Pascal Kamdem

doi:10.1515/hf-2024-0098

Article

Improving the weathering properties of heat-treated wood by acetylation

, and

Published/Copyright: February 5, 2025

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information Explore this Subject

From the journal Holzforschung Volume 79 Issue 2-3

Abstract

Heat-treated wood is widely used for outdoor furniture manufacturing. However, it is susceptible to against physical degradation such as cracking and discoloration. This study involved heat-treated wood at three different temperatures of 180 °C, 200 °C and 220 °C was acetylated using vacuum-pressure impregnation methods to enhance photostability, dimensional and thermal stability. The laboratory chromaticity data indicated a substantial enhancement of the photostability of the acetylated heat-treated wood. The color difference was reduced from 11.89 to 10.08 for the 180 °C treatment, then from 10.24 to 9.02 for the 200 °C treatment, and from 8.31 to 8.11 for the 220 °C treatment compared to unmodified wood at the same temperature. The microstructure analysis and chemical composition study suggested that the hydroxyl groups were greatly reduced, rendering the microstructure and chemical composition of wood relatively stable. In addition, the results of water contact angle, water absorption, swelling and shrinking data show that acetylated wood exhibits lower hydrophilicity and greater dimensional stability. Thermo-gravimetric analysis reveals that acetylated wood maintained better thermal stability, as evidenced by the greater maximum temperature for thermal degradation. The weathering resistance of heat-treated wood was significantly improved by acetylation treatment.

Keywords: heat-treated wood; acetylation; dimensional stability; photo-degradation resistance; wood color stability; sunlight irradiation

Corresponding author: Dong Xing, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sandy Shrubs Fibrosis and Energy Development and Utilization, Department of Materials Science and Art Design, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Zhaowuda Road No.306, Hohhot 010018, China, E-mail: xingdong@imau.edu.cn

Funding source: Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region graduate research innovation project

Award Identifier / Grant number: KC2024023S

Funding source: Excellent Doctoral Research Project of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University

Award Identifier / Grant number: NDYB2017-4

Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 31700484

Funding source: Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Award Identifier / Grant number: 2021MS03092

Funding source: Capacity building project of Key Laboratory of Fibrosis and Energy Utilization of sandy shrub resources in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Award Identifier / Grant number: BR221017

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission. Dong Xing: writing-review & editing. Yao Li: writing-original draft. D. Pascal Kamdem: visualization, validation.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interests: All other authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: This paper was supported by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region graduate research innovation project (KC2024023S), Excellent Doctoral Research Project of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University (NDYB2017-4), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31700484), Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (2021MS03092), Capacity building project of Key Laboratory of Fibrosis and Energy Utilization of sandy shrub resources in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (BR221017).
Data availability: Not applicable.

References

Ando, D., Nakatsubo, F., and Yano, H. (2018). Thermal stability of lignin in ground pulp (GP) and the effect of lignin modification on GP’s thermal stability: TGA experiments with dimeric lignin model compounds and milled wood lignins. Holzforschung 73: 493–499, https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2018-0137.Search in Google Scholar

Barid, B.R. (1969). Dimensional stabilization of wood by vapor phase chemical treatments. Wood Fiber Sci. 1: 54–63.Search in Google Scholar

Bi, Z., Zhou, X., Chen, J., Lei, Y., and Yan, L. (2024). Effects of extracts on color, dimensional stability, and decay resistance of thermally modified wood. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 82: 387–401, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-023-02024-4.Search in Google Scholar

Bhuiyan, M.T.R., Hiral, N., and Sobue, N. (2000). Changes of crystallinity in wood cellulose by heat treatment under dried and moist conditions. J. Wood Sci. 46: 431–436, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00765800.Search in Google Scholar

Chang, H.T. and Chang, S.T. (2002). Moisture excluding efficiency and dimensional stability of wood improved by acylation. Bioresour. Technol. 85: 201–204, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-8524(02)00085-8.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Chen, K., Tan, Y., Sun, F., Zhu, J., Peng, H., Jiang, J., Lyu, J., and Zhan, T. (2003). Influence of electrochemically deposited TiO2 on the anti-weathering properties of heat-treated wood. Wood Mater. Sci. Eng. 18: 801–809, https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2022.2071167.Search in Google Scholar

Chuang, H., Park, Y., Yang, Y.S., Kim, H., Han, Y., Chang, Y.S., and Yeo, H. (2017). Effect of heat treatment temperature and time on sound absorption coefficient of larix kaempferi wood. J. Wood Sci. 63: 575–579, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-017-1662-z.Search in Google Scholar

Cogulet, A., Blanchet, P., and Landry, V. (2016). Wood degradation under UV irradiation: a lignin characterization. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 158: 184–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.02.030.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Ding, Y., Pang, Z.Q., Lan, K., Yao, Y., Panzarasa, G., Xu, L., Loricco, M., Rammer, D.R., Zhu, J.Y., Hu, M., et al.. (2023). Emerging engineered wood for building applications. Chem. Rev. 123: 1843–1888, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00450.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Evans, P.D., Wallis, A.F.A., and Owen, N.L. (2000). Weathering of chemically modified wood surfaces. Natural weathering of Scots pine acetylated to different weight gains. Wood Sci. Technol. 34: 151–165, https://doi.org/10.1007/s002260000039.Search in Google Scholar

Fan, B.S. and Xing, D. (2024). Preparation and weathering properties of Ce/TiO2 anti-UV coating on heat-treated wood. Prog. Org. Coat. 194: 108625, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108625.Search in Google Scholar

Gao, Y.Q., Li, Y.Y., Ren, R.Q., Li, L., Gao, J.M., and Chen, Y. (2022). Enhancing the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of heat-treated wood by migrating and relocating sulfonated lignin. Holzforschung 76: 637–644, https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2021-0207.Search in Google Scholar

Giridhar, B.N., Pandey, K.K., Prasad, B.E., Bisht, S.S., and Vagdevi, H.M. (2017). Dimensional stabilization of wood by chemical modification using isopropenyl acetate. Maderas Cienc. Tecnol. 19: 15–20.10.4067/S0718-221X2017005000002Search in Google Scholar

Hill, C.A.S. and Jones, D. (1996). The dimensional stabilisation of Corsican pine sapwood by reaction with carboxylic acid anhydrides. Holzforschung 50: 457–462, https://doi.org/10.1515/hfsg.1996.50.5.457.Search in Google Scholar

Hill, C.A.S. and Ormondroyd, G.A. (2004). Dimensional changes in Corsican pine (Pinus nigra amold) modified with acetic anhydride measured using a helium pyenometer. Holzforschung 8: 544–547.10.1515/HF.2004.082Search in Google Scholar

Huang, F.Y. (2012). Thermal properties and thermal degradation of cellu-lose tri-stearate (CTs). Polymers 4: 1012–1024, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym4021012.Search in Google Scholar

Ioth, T. (1999). Dimensional stability of wood treated with unsaturated acids. Bull. Nara Pref. For. Expt. Sta. 29: 8–14.Search in Google Scholar

Ioth, T., Kato, K., and Nishmura, M. (1998). Dimensional stability of wood treated with tricarboxylic acid (I). Treatment with carboxyethylthiosuccinic acid. Bull. Nara Pref. For. Expt. Sta. 28: 1–6.Search in Google Scholar

Kamdem, P.D., Pizzi, A., and Triboulot, M.C. (2000). Heat-treated timber: potentially toxic byproducts presence and extent of wood cell wall degradation. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 58: 253–257, https://doi.org/10.1007/s001070050420.Search in Google Scholar

Kamdem, D.P., Pizzi, A., and Jermannaud, A. (2002). Durability of heat-treated wood. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 60: 1–6, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-001-0261-1.Search in Google Scholar

Kocaefe, D. and Saha, S. (2012). Comparison of the protection effectiveness of acrylic polyurethane coatings containing bark extracts on three heat-treated North American wood species: surface degradation. Appl. Surf. Sci. 258: 5283–5290, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.02.017.Search in Google Scholar

Kol, H.S. and Sefil, Y. (2011). The thermal conductivity of fir and beech wood heat-treated at 170, 180, 190, 200, and 212 °C. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 121: 2473–2480, https://doi.org/10.1002/app.33885.Search in Google Scholar

Maldas, D.C. and Kamdem, D.P. (1998). Surface tension and wettability of CCA-treated red maple. Wood Fiber Sci. 1998: 368–373.Search in Google Scholar

Mastouri, A., Azadfallah, M., Kamboj, G., Rezaei, F., Tarmian, A., Efhamisisi, D., Mahmoudkia, M., and Corcione, C.E. (2023). Kinetic studies on photo-degradation of thermally-treated spruce wood during natural weathering: surface performance, lignin and cellulose crystallinity. Constr. Build. Mater. 392: 131923, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131923.Search in Google Scholar

Militz, H. and Lande, S. (2009). Challenges in wood modification technology on the way practical applications. Wood Mater. Sci. Eng. 4: 23–29, https://doi.org/10.1080/17480270903275578.Search in Google Scholar

Minato, K. and Ito, Y. (2004). Analysis of the factors influencing the acetylation rate of wood. J. Wood Sci. 50: 519–523, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-003-0598-7.Search in Google Scholar

Mitsui, K. and Tolvaj, L. (2005). Color changes in acetylated wood by the combined treatment of light and heat. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 63: 392–393, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-005-0022-7.Search in Google Scholar

Nagarajappa, G.B. and Pandey, K.K. (2016). UV resistance and dimensional stability of wood modified with isopropenyl acetate. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 155: 20–27, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.12.012.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Pandey, K.K. and Srinivas, K. (2015). Performance of polyurethane coatings on acetylated and benzoylated rubberwood. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 73: 111–120, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-014-0860-2.Search in Google Scholar

Ramsden, M. and Blake, F.S.R. (1997). A kinetic study of the acetylation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components in wood. Wood Sci. Technol. 31: 45–50, https://doi.org/10.1007/s002260050013.Search in Google Scholar

Ramsden, M.J., Blake, F.S.R., and Fey, N.J. (1997). The effect of acetylation on the mechanical propertieshy drophobicity and dimensional stability of pinus sylvestris. Wood Sci. Technol. 37: 6–10.Search in Google Scholar

Rowell, R.M., Simonson, R., and Tillman, A.M. (1986). Dimensional stability of particleboard made from vapor phase acetylated pine wood chips. Nord. Pulp Pap. Res. J. 1: 11–17.10.3183/npprj-1986-01-02-p011-017Search in Google Scholar

Saha, S., Kocaefe, D., Boluk, Y., and Pichette, A. (2011). Enhancing exterior durability of jack pine by photo-stabilization of acrylic polyurethane coating using bark extract. Part 1: effect of UV on color change and ATR-FT-IR analysis. Prog. Org. Coat. 70: 376–382, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2010.09.034.Search in Google Scholar

Saha, S., Kocaefe, D., Krause, C., Boluk, Y., and Pichette, A. (2013). Enhancing exterior durability of heat-treated jack pine by photo-stabilization by acrylic polyurethane coating using bark extract. Part 2: wetting characteristics and fluorescence microscopy analysis. Prog. Org. Coat. 76: 504–512, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2012.11.008.Search in Google Scholar

Stamm, A.J. and Tarkow, H. (1947). Dimensional stabilization of wood. J. Phys. Colloid Chem. 51: 493–505, https://doi.org/10.1021/j150452a016.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Shen, H., Zhang, S., Cao, J., Jiang, J., and Wang, W. (2018). Improving anti-weathering performance of thermally modified wood by TiO2 sol or/and paraffin emulsion. Constr. Build. Mater. 169: 372–378, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.036.Search in Google Scholar

Temiz, A., Terziev, N., Jacobasen, B., and Eikenes, M. (2006). Weathering, water absorption, and durability of silicon, acetylated, and heat-treated wood. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 102: 4506–4513.10.1002/app.24878Search in Google Scholar

Temiz, A., Terziev, N., Eikenes, M., and Hafren, J. (2007). Effect of accelerated weathering on surface chemistry of modified wood. Appl. Surf. Sci. 253: 5355–5362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.12.005.Search in Google Scholar

Tjeerdsma, B.F. and Militz, H. (2005). Chemical changes in hydrothermal treated wood: FTIR analysis of combined hydrothermal and dry heat-treated wood. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 63: 102–111, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-004-0532-8.Search in Google Scholar

Tolvaj, L., Molnar, Z., and Magoss, E. (2014). Measurement of photodegradation-caused roughness of wood using a new optical method. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 134: 23–26, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.03.020.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Tomak, E.D., Ustaomer, D., Yildiz, S., and Pesman, E. (2014). Changes in surface and mechanical properties of heat-treated wood during natural weathering. Measurement 53: 30–39, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2014.03.018.Search in Google Scholar

Windt, I. De., Bulcke, J.V.D., Wuijtens, I., Coppens, H., and Vanacker, J. (2014). Out-door weathering performance parameters of exterior wood coating systems on tropical hardwood substrates. Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod. 72: 261–272, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-014-0779-7.Search in Google Scholar

Xing, D., Zhang, Y., Hu, J.P., and Yao, L.H. (2020). Highly hydrophobic and self-cleaning heat-treated Larix spp. Prepared by TiO2 and ZnO particles onto wood surface. Coatings 10: 986, https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10100986.Search in Google Scholar

Yildiz, S., Tomak, E.D., Yildiz, U.C., and Ustaomer, D. (2003). Effect of artificial weathering on the properties of heat-treated wood. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 98: 1419–1427, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.05.004.Search in Google Scholar

Zivkovic, V., Prsa, I., Turkulin, H., Sinkovic, T., and Jirous, R.V. (2008). Dimensional stability of heat-treated wood floorings. Drv. Ind. 59: 69–73.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2024-10-28

Accepted: 2025-01-24

Published Online: 2025-02-05

Published in Print: 2025-03-26

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2024-0098

Keywords for this article

heat-treated wood; acetylation; dimensional stability; photo-degradation resistance; wood color stability; sunlight irradiation