Effect of styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers on mechanical properties and decay resistance of beech (Fagus Orientalis)

This research was conducted to study the effects of styrene and methyl methacrylate cell lumen monomers on the mechanical properties and decay resistance of beech wood. Mechanical and decay resistance test samples were prepared according to ASTM D143-94 and DIN EN113 standards and impregnated with five concentration monomer solution 0, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent using Bethell method. Treated samples were heated in oven at 90ºC for 24 hours then at 103ºC to polymerize the monomers. Modules of elasticity and rupture, hardness, compression strength parallel to grain and weight loss of samples were determined. According to the results, mechanical resistance increased with monomer concentration. Modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and hardness and compression strength parallel to grain at the highest level (100%) compared with control samples were increased respectively 36.4, 44.4, 29 and 30.7% for methyl methacrylate monomer and for styrene monomer 32, 35.5, 36.5 and 27.5. Also, decay resistance improved as the absorbed polymer was increase, so that weight loss of control was 36.9%, but in treated samples with styrene and methyl methacrylate monomer decreased to 7.6 and 6.5% respectively.