Dimensional Stabilization with Polymerizable Vapor of Ethylene Oxide

A limited number of physical and mechanical properties of wood were studied as to the effect of treatment with ethylene oxide catalyzed with triethylamine. The natural color of wood is modified. Reductions in volumetric swellage, from ovendry to green moisture content, as high as 65 percent were obtained with specimens of hard maple. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in the hygroscopic property of wood. Treated wood appears to absorb liquid water within the coarse capillary structure as readily as untreated material, although the material exhibits reduced hygroscopicity. Limited leaching experiments suggested that the ethylene oxide treatment is reasonably permanent over a wide range of exposure conditions. Static bending tests of matched samples showed no reduction in strength. No difficulty was found in finishing treated panels of black walnut. The degree of stability obtained depended on control of reaction variables such as wood moisture content, temperature, time, and catalyst concentration.

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