Research on Enhancing the Comprehensive Performance of Fir Wood through Chemical Modification with a Biobased Unsaturated Polyester

Fir wood was modified using epoxy soybean oil, diethylene glycol, and maleic anhydride as raw materials to enhance its mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water resistance. Diethylene glycol first opens the epoxy ring of the soybean oil and then reacts with maleic anhydride to produce an esterification reaction. The product modifies the fir wood through a chemical impregnation method. A systematic evaluation of the modified wood's weight gain ratio, density, mechanical properties, thermal stability, water resistance, and microstructural changes was conducted. The results show that the compressive strength increased from 38.1 to 94.9 MPa, the water absorption rate decreased from 158.03 to 6.93%, and the thermal stability was also enhanced. This study provides a simple, low-cost, and green method for improving the comprehensive performance of fast-growing fir wood, offering new insights for achieving sustainable development and green chemical engineering.