The aim of the research was to determine hydrophobic properties of wood treated with formulation consisted of ethanolic extract of propolis and two silanes: tetraethyl orthosilicate and vinyltrimethoxysilane.
The investigations were carried out on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood impregnated with the propolis-silane formulation using the vacuum method. The dynamic contact angle of treated wood samples was measured according to the EN-828 standard using a pocket goniometer PG-3 and water as a wetting liquid. The average contact angle was determined at 3 selected points of wood during 300 s. In order to measure water absorption the treated wood samples were immersed in water for 15 days. The measurements of weight were taken appropriately after 0,5; 1; 2; 4; 8; 24; 48; 96; 144; 192; 240 and 360 hours since the immersion was started.
Wood treated with the propolis-silane formulation demonstrated higher value of contact angle in comparison to untreated, control samples. After 10 s from a water drop was applied on wood surface the contact angle of the treated wood was 72.24 deg, while for the control wood was 44.24 deg. Moreover, the wood impregnated with the formulation was characterized with slower flow of water on the surface than the untreated samples. The hydrophobic properties of treated wood confirmed the results of water absorption. The water absorption of the treated wood samples was lower than water absorption of the untreated, control samples.
The results of wettability and water absorption indicate that impregnation with the use of propolis-silane formulation improve the hydrophobic properties of Scots pine wood.
Keywords: propolis extract, silanes, Scots pine, contact angle
Authors
Woźniak M.
PhD student, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Wood Technology, Department of Chemistry, Poznań
Lis B.
Assist. Prof., Poznań University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Wood Technology, Department of Wood Based Materials, Poznań
Krystofiak T.
Assist. Prof., Poznań University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Wood Technology, Department of Wood Based Materials, Poznań
Ratajczak I.
Assist. Prof., Poznań University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Wood Technology, Department of Wood Based Materials, Poznań
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