Esterification of wood with citric acid and sorbitol: effect of the copolymer on the properties of the modified wood. Part 1: macroscopic changes, fixation of chemicals and impact bending properties

Abstract Wood modification processes based on citric acid in combination with various copolymers have gained in importance in recent years. These processes also include modification with citric acid (CA) and sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, which is currently in the industrial realisation phase in Germany (SorCA) and Norway (CIOL). The modification of wood with sorbitol and citric acid (SorCA) can significantly improve the dimensional stability and durability of the wood. It is hypothesised that the addition of a copolymer may improve the fixation of the chemicals within as well as the flexibility of the modified wood matrix. In this study, the macroscopic changes, the fixation of the chemicals and the impact bending properties of wood modified with CA and SorCA are compared. Both modifications cause a permanent increase in mass (WPG) and volume (CWB). The fixation of the chemicals was comparable for both modifications; at high chemical concentrations, the SorCA polyester fixed slightly better within the wood matrix. Both modifications led to embrittlement of the wood, measured by a decrease in the impact bending strength (IBS). This embrittlement was clearly concentration-dependent and slightly more pronounced for the modification with CA.