Impregnation of Natural Rubber into Rubber Wood: A Green Wood Composite

Abstract

A green wood composite material was developed from the two environmentally friendly substrates natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) and rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis). Natural rubber (NR) was introduced into rubber wood by pressurization of NR latex, followed by the removal of the aqueous phase to allow only dry NR to remain inside the wood structure. Scanning electron microscopy images and the weight increase of the dry impregnated samples revealed the retention of dry NR within the rubber wood. The natural rubber enhanced the water resistance and compressive strength of the treated rubber wood.

Keywords

• Wood impregnation
• Wood composites
• Rubber wood
• Natural rubber