Wood polymer composites using thermal and radiation techniques

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer impregnated into four local wood species (Casuarina cunninghamiana, Casuarina glauca, Mango and Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and one imported white pine species, using heat/catalyst and gamma-irradiation techniques, has been studied. Physical and mechanical tests performed on the wood-polymer combinations (WPC) showed that water absorption was greatly reduced and dimensional stability increased, compression strength and hardness substantially improved. There was evidence that gamma irradiation produced graft copolymer in the wood that was effective in improving dimensional stability.