Studies upon Penetration of Paraloid B72 into Poplar Wood by Cold Immersion Treatments

Abstract

This work is an experimental study on the penetration of the synthetic resin Paraloid B72 into poplar wood. Paraloid B72 was prepared as diluted consolidation solutions (5% and 10%) in two solvents: a mixture of ethanol and acetone (1/1, v/v) and toluene. Sound poplar wooden samples (10x10x15) mm were employed to have a homogenous material. These samples were treated by long time immersion at room temperature. The consolidant retention in wood led to a weight percent gain WPG % up to 5% from the initial weight. The presence of consolidants into wood was also demonstrated by SEM microscopy. The maximum amount of consolidant was retained in wood when using Paraloid B72 10% in ethanol/acetone.