Weathering Performance of Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis L.) Wood Impregnated with Glycerol and Glyoxal

Abstract

This study aimed to improve some surface properties such as color, gloss, and surface roughness changes of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood impregnated with some water repellent chemicals such as glycerol (GR) and glyoxal (GX) after weathering. Oriental beech wood specimens were impregnated with a 4 % aqueous solution of GR, GX, and a mixture of GR and GX (1:1; weight : weight) (GR+GX) and then exposed to weathering in Muğla Province in Turkey. Results showed that [delta]L* values of all wood specimens were decreased after weathering. Moreover, the decreases in the control specimen were higher than in the impregnated wood specimens. Oriental beech wood specimens showed a greenish and yellowish tendency, giving -[delta]a* and +[delta]b* values, respectively. Total color changes of GR impregnated Oriental beech was the lowest after weathering. The gloss of all Oriental beech test specimens decreased after weathering. The control specimen gave the lowest value in all three surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, and Rq) after weathering. Among the impregnated specimens, the groups impregnated with GR had, in general, the highest value in all three roughness degrees and showed the most negative results in surface roughness.