Furfurylation Effects on Discoloration and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Wood from Tropical Plantation Forests

Wood from tropical plantation forests has lower physical and mechanical properties than mature wood. Furfuryl alcohol (FA) impregnation into the wood could help to enhance hydrophobic properties, dimensional stability, structural strength. Furfurylation was applied specimens of following four fast-growing species: jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba), sengon (Falcataria moluccana), mangium (Acacia mangium), pine (Pinus merkusii). The discoloration were subsequently measured, results showed that furfurylated had a darker color better untreated Specifically, higher density, modulus elasticity, hardness moisture content, water absorption, swelling, shrinkage. furfurylation significantly enhanced properties.