Physical and mechanical properties of methyl methacrylate impregnated jabon wood

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.) wood specimens were impregnated for 10, 20, and 30 min with monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymerized with Co-60 gamma radiation at doses of 10, 20, and 30 kGy. After polymerization process polymer loadings were calculated. For comparison purpose untreated wood as control was also prepared, and all wood specimens were tested for some physical and mechanical properties. The results showed that average polymer loading reached 34 %, and MMA impregnated wood has significantly enhanced physical and mechanical properties. These were indicated by 7 % lower moisture content, 17 % lower volume shrinkage, 12 % higher MOR, and 27 % higher MOE compared to the untreated wood. The impregnation period and radiation doses, and interaction of both the factors did not affect physical and mechanical properties of MMA wood, except impregnation period for moisture content, also radiation doses and the interaction both factors for shrinkage. Impregnation period of 10 min and 10 kGy Co-60 gamma radiation dose were sufficient applying for MMA impregnated process of jabon wood.