SOME PROPERTIES OF TURKISH SWEETGUM BALSAM (Styr ax liquiduS) IMPREGNATED ORIENTAL BEECH WOOD PART I: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

The purpose of this study was to investigate some physical properties such as water absorption (WA), color, gloss, and surface hardness changes of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood impregnated with Turkish sweetgum balsam (TSB). Wood specimens were impregnated with 2, 4, and 6 % (w/V) ethanole solutions of TSB according to ASTM D 1413-76 1976 standard before tests. Our results showed that WA values of TSB impregnated Oriental beech were higher than that of the untreated control specimen. Moreover, generally higher concentration levels of TSB decreased WA levels of Oriental beech. Untreated and treated Oriental beech had negative ∆a* and ∆b*, and (∆L*) values after accelerated weathering. Total color changes (∆E*) of TSB treated Oriental beech was lower than that of untreated Oriental beech wood. TSB impregnation decreased gloss and surfaces hardness loss to some extent after accelerated weathering.