Preparation and properties of oligoesterified wood blocks based on anhydride and epoxide

Summary

Preparation and properties of oligoesterified woods in the form of block are reviewed. The oligoesterified wood blocks are prepared by stepwise addition reactions of dicarboxylic acid anhydride and epichlorohydrin (EpCl), or one-step chemical treatment with reactant solution of the anhydride and EpCl. Among the preparation methods investigated, the heating-suction method is industrially advantageous. In this method, wood blocks impregnated with the reactant solution are heated and then subjected to suction under reduced pressure and heating, to remove unreacted reactant solution. The oligoesterified wood blocks thus obtained contain oligoester chains formed by the alternate additions of the anhydride and EpCl to OH groups of wood. They also contain small amounts of free oligomers not linked with the wood matrix. Their dimensional stabilities against moisture and water become greater with increase in the apparent total weight increase due to the oligoester chains and the free oligomers. The oligoesterified wood blocks based on phthalic anhydride-EpCl are industrially promising, and exhibit higher compressive and flexural strenghts, greater chemical resistance, electric insulation, and much lower water absorption than untreated wood block. Furthermore, excellent resistances are observed against weathering and biodeterioration.