Chemical modification of rubber wood with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate

Abstract Rubber wood was impregnated with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as the crosslinking monomer. Polymerization was accomplished by catalyst heat treatment. Compressive strength both in parallel and perpendicular to fiber directions was measured and improvement was observed for wood polymer composites. Bending strength in terms of Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) was measured and found improved on treatment over the untreated wood samples. Hardness for treated wood was also improved. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) indicated an increase in interaction between wood, styrene, and GMA. Biodegradation of the treated and untreated wood samples was also determined and found to be improved on treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed the wood polymer interaction. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers