Decay resistance of propionylated Iranian beech wood against white rot fungus (Trametes versicolor)

Abstract

Decay resistance of propionic anhydride modified Iranian beech wood against the white rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) was investigated. Iranian beech (Fagus orientalis), which is a nondurable wood was modified by propionic anhydride at different temperatures, concentrations and times without using any catalyst. Propionylation was determined by calculating volume change (VC) and weight percentage gain (WPG) after solvent extraction using acetone. Different WPGs were obtained applying different treatment conditions. VC increased linearly with increasing WPG. The decay resistance of the propionylated wood against Trametes versicolor was determined according to ASTM D1413 standard test methods. Weight loss (WL) due to decay was reduced significantly when WPG increased. WPG of about 17 % was found to be the threshold level of the propionylated wood.

Keywords

• Beech wood propionic anhydride
• weight percentage gain
• white rot fungus