Correlation of gas permeability with polymer loading on radiation-induced wood composites

Abstract

Selected local hardwoods and their wood polymer combinations or composites (WPC) were tested for their specific permeability in the longitudinal direction and polymer loading respectively. WPC were prepared by polymerizing methyl methacrylate monomer in situ in oven-dried woods by gamma radiation. Correlation studies between permeability of the oven-dried hardwood samples and two other factors, extractive content and polymer loading, were made. A significantly high correlation was obtained between permeability and polymer loading. Low correlation was observed between extractive content and permeability as well as polymer loading. The high permeability of most hardwoods can be attributed to their large vessel sizes and absence of any vessel deposits. © 1987.