Influence of the impregnation with boron compounds on the physical properties of Eucalyptus wood

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of boron compounds utilized in wood impregnation, its influence on the physical properties of eucalyptus wood and to verify the veracity of the equilibrium moisture content obtained by the Simpson’s equation. The wood impregnation consisted of 4% and 8% of boron compound concentrations and was applied to the wood of three Eucalyptus clones. To analyze the equilibrium moisture content, the test samples were acclimatized at different temperatures and relative humidity. The dry density, shrinkage, and anisotropy coefficient for all the wood samples were measured. The presence of the boron compound in impregnated wood enhanced the dry density and radial shrinkage in one of the Eucalyptus clones. The equilibrium moisture content dropped when the 4% boron compound concentration was used to impregnate the wood. The Simpson’s equation must be applied with caution for ascertaining the equilibrium moisture content measurements because different values are achieved when compared with the findings of the acclimatized chambers.