Dimensional Stability, Mechanical Properties and Fire Resistance of MUF-Boron Treated Wood

In order to improve the dimensional stability, mechanical properties and fire resistance of the wood from Cryptomeria fortunei, the melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin and the mixture of MUF/boric acid/borax (MBB) were prepared and used as the wood modification solution. Results show that both the MUF resin and the MBB solutions exhibit good permeability to wood. Under the same treatment conditions, the weight percent gains (WPG) of treated wood increases with the increasing concentration of modification solutions. MUF and MBB modification solutions can effectively enhance the dimensional stability, MOR, MOE and fire resistance of wood. Compared with MBB treated wood, MUF treated wood exhibits higher MOR and dimensional stability. The MBB treated wood has higher MOE and fire resistance than MUF treated wood.