Surface properties of octadecanol-grafted pine veneers

A procedure of pine veneer grafting with MDI-octadecanol monoadduct is described. In order to mimic an industrial approach, no wood extraction prior to chemical modification was performed. From the observed contact angles it was concluded the modification made the veneers more hydrophobic. Due to the modification a significant decrease in the wetting of the veneers by water was observed. 18-carbon alkyl chains grafted onto the surface decreased both the surface energy of the material and reduced its polar component to values comparable with polyolefins. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.