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Wood is a natural material, and as such it exist great variability in its properties. Variations
exist between species, between trees and within the tree itself. Since many of the properties of
wood are ultimately determine by its chemical constituents, wood modification often seeks to
make change at this level, in order to produce a material that has the desired properties.
However, there are also wood modifications that do not involve alteration of the chemical
composition of the material. Wood modification is a means of altering the material to overcome
or ameliorate one or more of its disadvantages. The aim of a modification may be to bring about
an improvement in decay resistant or dimensional stability, to reduce water sorption, to improve
watering performance and so on. The term µwood modification¶ applies to the application of a
process that alters the properties of the material such that during the life time of a product no
loss of the enhanced performance of the wood should occur.

Modification of wood can involve active modifications, which result in a changed to the
chemical nature of the material, or passive modification, where change in properties is effected,
but without an alteration of the chemistry of the material..

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The polymeric structure of a wooden cell wall mainly consists of cellulose, hemicellulose
and lignin. All of these components contain hydroxyl groups. These hydroxyl groups play a key
role in the interaction between water and wood. At the same time these groups are the most
reactive sites. If wood takes up water (in moist conditions) water molecules are settling between
the wood polymers forming hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups and individual water
molecules. This water needs space between the cell wall components, which results in swelling
of the wood. All possible types of wood treatments affect the above-described mechanisms in
one way or another. For instance, filling lumina, which a substance, without altering the cell
walls. Or, bulking the cell wall, where the cavities in the cell wall are filled and thereby the
pathways for water are blocked. An example of bulking is a treatment with resins that do hardly
react with the wood. Since hardly any molecular alteration of the wood is achieved,
bulking is not regarded as being wood modification. Modification of wood is a wood treatment,
where the cell wall polymers of the molecular structure of the cell wall polymers (cellulose,
hemicellulose and lignin) are altered. In thermal wood modification (parts of) the cell wall
polymers are altered. This may lead to cross-linking, reduction of OH-groups and/or (undesired)
cleavage of the chains. The reduction of accessible OH-groups leads to a limited interaction
with water compared to untreated wood. Examples of thermal treatments are the Perdure
process, the Stellac process and the Plato process.

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If the chemistry of the wood cell wall polymers is changed, the polymer properties change as
does the performance of the modified wood. The chemical modification of wood can be defined
as a chemical reaction between some reactive part of wood and a simple single chemical
reagent, with or without catalyst, to form a covalent bond between the two. This excludes
chemical impregnations (monomer impregnations that polymerize in situ, but do not bond with
the cell wall), polymer inclusions, coatings and heat treatments. Chemical modification of wood
has been used to isolate various cell wall polymers, to study differences in properties as a result
of changing the chemistry and to improve the performance properties of wood. The chemicals
include anhydrides (such as acetic, butyric, phthalic, succinic, maleic, propionic, and butyric
anhydride), acid chlorides, ketene carboxylic acids, isocyanates, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde,
difunctional aldehydes, chloral, phthalaldehydic acid, dimethyl sulfate, alkyl chlorides, 3-
propiolactone, acrylonitrile, and epoxides (such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene oxides,
and difunctional epoxides).

  


Impregnation of the wood cell wall with chemicals of various types is a very broad area,
which continues to attract interest. The impregnation involves the treating of wood with
monomer solution that diffuses into the cell wall, followed by subsequent polymerization.
Property improvements occur primarily due to bulking of the cell wall by the impregnant.
Although lumen-fill treatments have also been reported over the years.

The principle behind impregnation modification is to impregnate the cell wall of wood with a
chemical, or a combination of chemical, that then react so as form material that is µlocked¶ into
the cell wall. For this to occur, it is necessary that during the impregnation phase that the cell
wall is in swollen state, so as to ensure accessibility to the impregnant. It is self ± evident that
the molecular components of the impregnation should be small enough that they can gain
access to the cell wall interior. The fixation of the impregnant can occur using two main
mechanisms:

Ô Monomer (or oligomer) impregnation, with subsequent polymerization within the cel wall.
Ô Diffusion of a soluble material into the cell wall, with a subsequent treatment so as to
render the material insoluble (immobile)

To be effective, it is essential that the impregnant is nonleachable in service conditions.

However, it is not a primary requirement that the impregnant be chemically bonded to the cell
wall polymeric constituents, although this may occur in some circumstances. It is essential that
the fixed impregnation is nontoxic whilst in the cell wall and under any circumstances in which it
is released from the cell wall, such as disposal by incineration or composting, or due to any
recycling process.

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Cross-links are bonds that link one polymer chain to another. They can be covalent bonds or
ionic bonds. "Polymer chains" can refer to synthetic polymers or natural polymers (such as
proteins). When the term "cross-linking" is used in the synthetic polymer science field, it usually
refers to the use of cross-links to promote a difference in the polymers' physical properties.
When "crosslinking" is used in the biological milieu, it refers to use of a probe to link proteins
together to check protein-protein interactions, as well as other creative cross-linking
methodologies. Cross-linking is used in both synthetic polymer chemistry and in the biological
sciences. Although the term is used to refer to the "linking of polymer chains" for both sciences,
the extent of crosslinking and specificities of the crosslinking agents vary.

In polymer chemistry, when a synthetic polymer is said to be "cross-linked", it usually means

that the entire bulk of the polymer has been exposed to the cross-linking method. The resulting
modification of mechanical properties depends strongly on the cross-link density. Low cross-link
densities raise the viscosities of polymer melts. Intermediate cross-link densities transform
gummy polymers into materials that have elastomeric properties and potentially high strengths.
Very high cross-link densities can cause materials to become very rigid or glassy, such as
phenol-formaldehyde materials.

Cross-links can be formed by chemical reactions that are initiated by heat, pressure, or
radiation. For example, mixing of an unpolymerized or partially polymerized resin with specific
chemicals called crosslinking reagents results in a chemical reaction that forms cross-links.
Cross-linking can also be induced in materials that are normally thermoplastic through exposure
to a radiation source, such as electron beam exposure, gamma-radiation, or UV light. For
example, electron beam processing is used to cross-link the C type of cross-linked
polyethylene. Other types of cross-linked polyethylene are made by addition of peroxide during
extruding (type A) or by addition of a cross-linking agent (e.g. vinylsilane) and a catalyst during
extruding and then performing a post-extrusion curing.

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If Structural units of the wood cell wall are chemically bound together (cross-linked), the
bonds restrain the units from swelling when moisture is present. One of the most widely studied
chemical systems for cross-linking is the reaction between wood cell-wail hydroxyls and
formaldehyde. Cross-linking can take place between hydroxyl groups on the same or different
cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin polymers. The reaction is usually catalyzed with strong acids
at very low cross-linked chemical weight gains (3 to 4 pct), swelling in liquid water is reduced
about 50 percent. At weight gains of 8 to 10 percent, swelling is reduced by about 90 percent.
Formaldehyde cross-linked wood is resistant to attack by fungi at weight gains as low as 5
percent. However, formaldehyde cross-linking greatly reduces strength and stiffness. The loss
in toughness is directly proportional to the gain in dimensional stability; i.e., a 60 percent
decrease in toughness is associated with an increase of 60 percent dimensional stability.
Crushing and bending strengths are reduced about 20 percent, and impact bending strength is
reduced as much as 50 percent. Abrasion resistance is also greatly reduced. Most of the loss in
wood strength properties is probably a result of the hydrolysis of structural cellulose units by the
strong acid catalyst. Although formaldehyde cross-linking has been used experimentally to
increase the wet strength of paper, there are no commercial applications at present.


 



Formaldehyde (systematic name: methanal) is chemically the most simple and

commercial the most important aliphatic aldehyde. It is an organic compound with the formula
CH2O. As the simplest aldehyde it is an important precursor to many other chemical
compounds, especially for polymers. In 2005, annual world production of formaldehyde was
estimated to be 21 million tonnes (46 billion pounds). In view of its widespread use, toxicity and
volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health. Since the
past 100 years formaldehyde has been manufactured and used industrially for a number of
diverse purpose. This arises largely from its high chemical reactivity and relatively low cost,
which also contributes to its important role in the synthesis of organic compound. It is, among
others, an important precursor for the preparation of urea, melamine and phenol formaldehyde
resin which are used as binder in the manufacture of wood based panel (blockboard, fiberboard,
plywood).

Textile and paper additive as products derived from formaldehyde have long been
known. Formaldehyde is an important raw material for medicine, explosives and disinfectants.
The denaturing action of formaldehyde on protein is applied in preservative and disinfectants.
Formaldehyde is contained in limited quantities in numerous shampoos and cosmetics.
Formaldehyde appears as a waste by-product in several industries. In the wood industry,
formaldehyde is formed as a fission product under certain conditions during wood carbonisation,
wood saccharification and wood drying. In the particle board industry formaldehyde is emitted in
substantial amounts when the particleboard are manufactured with aminoplast resins.



 

Ammonium phosphate is the salt of ammonia and phosphoric acid. It has the formula
(NH4)3PO4 and consists of ammonium cations and phosphate anion. It is obtained as a
crystalline powder upon mixing concentrated solutions of ammonia and phosphoric acid, or on
the addition of excess of ammonia to the acid phosphate (NH4)2(HPO4). It is soluble in water,
and the aqueous solution on boiling loses ammonia and the acid phosphate (NH4)(H2PO4) is
formed.
 International union of pure and applied chemistry name.

Endosperm malaccensis 

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The wood that used in this research is Endospermum malaccense or commonly known
as sesenduk in Malaysia, belong to family Euphorbiaceae.Only one species, viz. E. diadenum,
occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, while in Sabah and Sarawak there is another species, E.
peltatum. Vernacular names applied include ekor belangkas (Sarawak), inchong Perlis (Kedah),
membulan (Peninsular Malaysia), sendok (Sabah), sendok-sendok (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah
and Sarawak), sendok-sendok mata (Sabah) and terbulan (Sarawak). Also known as Sesendok
(Brunei); Kavula and Lekutu (Fiji); Bakota (India); Kayu labu, Membulan and Sendok-sendok
(Indonesia); Basswood and Tau (Papua New Guinea); Gubas (Philippines); Endospermum-
sasa and Hongopo (Soloman Islands); and Famo, Lokhao and Taphong (Thailand).

The species widely from low land forest up to 1000 m altitude (whitmore, 1973). It also
commonly found in gap in mature forest and in logged over forest, often associated with
streams and alluvial areas. It also occurs on well drain sites. It trive very well as a pioneer
species. Trees of Endosperm malaccensis are medium to big size reaching 40m height with 3m
girth. The bole is stout and columnar with thick equal to steep fluted buttresses. The bark of this
species is grey ± fawn, smooth, hooped and becomingreegress to scaly patches. Inner bark is
thick and coarsely granular, cream with orange flack. Texture is rather coarse but even with
spiral, shallowly interlocked or slightly wavy grain.
 Endospermum malaccense is classified as a light hardwood timber with average density
about 400 kg/m³ at 15 % moisture content. The timber falls into Strength Group D (Engku,
1988b) or SG 7 (MS 544: Part 2:2001).

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Green 8,500 39 20.8 1.75 5.4

Air dry - - - - -

The wood is bright yellow and difficult to differentiated between sapwood and heartwood.
It is not durable under Malaysia condition but is extremely easy to treat with preservative.
(Abd.Rasip , 1994). Based on the standard graveyard test of untreated specimens of
dimensions 50 mm x 50 mm x 600 mm, the wood is classified as non-durable under Malaysian
conditions. In a test conducted at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the average
service life for 29 untreated specimens was 1 year (Jackson, 1965). When green, the timber is
liable to blue-stain fungal infection.

The timber is easy to saw by hand and machine tool (cheah, 1995). Among the light
wood species, sesenduk have medium shear strength about 5.5 NmMë but lower in cleavage
about 31 NmmMë (Soerianegara and Lemmens, 1993). The logs are usually reasonably sound
but small areas of spongy heart may occur. Severe borer damage as well as staining will occur
if there is delay in extracting felled logs (Desch, 1941; Smith, 1957). The timber is a favoured
species for the manufacture of match splints and boxes. The timber is also suitable for pattern
making, drawing boards, plywood, packing boxes and crates, toys, wooden clogs, disposable
chopsticks, pencil, ladies shoe sole, tooth picks and furniture.
$%&

Ô To determine properties of wood after wood treated by medium molecular weight phenol
formaldehyde mix ammonium phosphate.
Ô To determine the formaldehyde emission from solid wood treated by medium molecular
weight phenol formaldehyde mix ammonium phosphate.