New water-repellent systems for wood are needed to improve the weathering characteristics. This study found that treatment of wood with chemical grafting systems imparted substantial water repellency. Different direct oxidative grafting systems were examined. Specifically, KMnO4, Fe(NH4)(SO4)2·12H2O, Fe2(SO4)3·5H2O, and (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 were used as initiators and styrene as the monomer. All the graft treatment systems were capable of imparting appreciable water repellency, although water repellency was not permanent using the KMnO4 initiator system. Surprisingly, the major part of the imparted water repellency was due to the initiators, with some further increase when the samples were subsequently reacted with styrene monomer. FTIR was preformed to study the chemical changes in the wood. Possible explanations for the water repellency from graft treatment and initiator treatment are proposed.

Download document (254 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document