The assessment of mechanical properties of wood treated with ionic liquids

The impregnation of wood with wood preservatives may have an influence on its physical and mechanical properties. The knowledge about the character of that influence is of great importance for characterisation of functional properties of wood and, as a consequence, determination of its use classes. The ionic liquids (ILs) of imidazolium tetrafluoroborates series, which for instance very well penetrate into Scots pine wood, are active against wood-destroying fungi and generally have a positive, although insignificant, influence on physical and mechanical properties of wood, especially on its resistance to colour change during exposure to light. However, various ILs may differ widely in that respect. Under POIG.01.03.01-30-074/08 project investigations were undertaken to clarify the influence of didecyldimethylammonium nitrite ([DDA][NO2]) and IL with didecyldimethylammonium cation and anion of herbicide character ([DDA][herbicide]) on selected physical and mechanical properties of Scots pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.). The miniature sapwood samples were subjected to sorption with the ILs by vacuum method. The properties of the treated wood were compared with those of control wood, i.e. untreated wood, using twin specimens. The average retention of ILs in wood was on the level of 3.6kg/m, 7.4kg/m, and 18.2kg/m. The tested ILs had only a very small influence, from -0.5% to +1.6%, on the compression strength of wood along the grain when oven-dry wood was tested. However, at equilibrium moisture content the compression strength along the grain, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity at bending of wood treated