TY  - EJOU
AU  - Noël, Marion 
AU  - Grigsby, Warren 
AU  - Volkmer, Thomas 

TI  - Investigating the Viscoelastic Properties and Mechanical  Performance of Wood Modifi ed by Biopolyester Treatments
T2  - Journal of Renewable Materials

PY  - 2014
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
SN  - 2164-6341

AB  - Oligomer systems based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(butylene succinate) 
(PBS) and poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) were impregnated in wood and polymerized in situ to improve 
the dimensional stability of the treated wood. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was used 
to characterize the impact on the treated wood properties. Cell wall bulking treatments (PLA and PGA 
oligomers: OLA and OGA) induced softening and plasticization of wood components. Lumen fi lling 
treatments (PBS and PBA oligomers: OBS and OBA) led to minor decreases in treated wood stiffness with any 
softening dependent on the polymer melt temperature. Overall, no oligomer treatment induced any signifi cant 
wood reinforcement, but the Tg of wood components could be reduced signifi cantly.
KW  - Wood modifi cation
KW  -  biopolyesters
KW  -  <i>in situ</i> polymerization
KW  -  plasticization

DO  - 10.7569/JRM.2014.634118