Thermoplasticization of Wood by Benzylation

벤질화에 의한 목재의 열가소화

The methods in wood processing are so limited at present that a scope of its utilization is restricted. This often makes wood itself less valuable as a material comparing with other materials, that is, plastics, metals, and glass. Such differences are due to a lack of plasticity in wood, i.e. it cannot be melted, dissolved, or softened sufficiently for molding. However, once plastic properties are added to wood, it becomes more useful material. This further broadens the method in wood processing to a variety of fields. In this way, wooden material which is limited in use can be modified into a high quality product with additional value. Furthermore, utilization of wastes from wood, for example, would be made viable. In this study, thermoplasticization was carried out by benzylation of wood(sawdust). Various factors those affect the reaction were tested to produce benzylated wood with different degrees of substitution. Reaction temperature and time were the quite important factors. Optimum reaction temperature was 110$^{\circ}C$, and weight percent gains(WPG) of final products increased gradually with the increase of reaction time. The pretreatment (or preswelling) of wood with alkaline solution had a critical effect on benzylation. and the concentration of alkaline solution should be above 30% to obtain high weight percent gain. The thermal flow temperature of the benzylated wood decreased with the increase in weight percent gain, that of 80% weight percent gain is about 200$^{\circ}C$.