Mechanical properties of Beech -Furfuryl alcohol wood polymer

In this study، mechanical properties of wood polymer (beech-furfuryl alcohol) were investigated. In this regard، the properties of specimens with three different values of furfurylation 20%، 30% and 65%) in comparison with control specimens were evaluated. The furfurylation was carried out with impregnation of specimens with full-cell method followed by polymerization of furfuryl alcohol monomer with heat catalyst. Static bending، tension perpendicular to the grain، compression parallel and perpendicular to the grain، shear parallel to the grain and hardness of specimens were determined according to ASTM D-143. Results have shown that with increasing furfurylation، static bending strength increases and tension perpendicular to the grain decreases. In addition، the compression perpendicular to the grain and shear parallel to the grain in specimens with high furfurylation value increases in comparison with control specimens. The radial hardness of the wood polymer specimens in comparison with control specimens increases greatly and ascendant trend of specimen''s hardness was observed being increasing with furfurylation value.