Effect of synergistic modification of Furfuryl Alcohol and Caprolactam on the Mechanical Properties of Pine

The modification of wood can be done in several ways. However, because of growing environmental concerns, wood modification has driven towards an eco-friendly method. Furfuryl Alcohol (FA) and Caprolactam (CPL) are organic chemicals that offer a potential solution when mixed with catalysts to achieve this goal. This research highlights the modification of Masson Pine Wood (Pinus Massoniana) with Furfuryl Alcohol and Caprolactam mixed with Maleic Anhydride as a catalyst and Sodium Tetraborate as a stabilizer at different mixture ratios by using a Vacuum impregnation method. The post-treatment method includes curing and drying the treated wood samples and conducting several tests to analyze the treated wood's mechanical properties compared to untreated wood. Results from SEM imaging showed that FA+CPL solutions could directly fill the pores in the wood cells leading to increased mechanical properties. The FTIR spectrum also showed lower intensity peaks than the other wood samples, explaining the effect of modification on the intrinsic properties of wood. The mechanical and DIC data showed that FA+CPL increased the stiffness and strength of the wood. Therefore, the modification of wood with furfuryl and caprolactam has proven to have increased the mechanical properties of pine wood and are important eco-friendly modification methods.