Determination of modulus of elasticity and bending strength of wood material impregnated with nanoparticle silicon dioxide (SiO2)

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the nano-particulate silicon dioxide (SiO2) material on the bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending of some wood species. Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petrea L.) woods species which are commonly used in the furniture industry were used in this study. Impregnation was carried out with the preparation of SiO2 at concentrations of 1% and 3% according to ASTM-D 1413-76 (1976) standards. According to the results, while solution concentration was increasing in both wood species, total retention (kg/m3) and percentage retention (%) values increased; air dry density (12%), bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending decreased. The maximum mean values of bending strength and modulus of elasticity was in control samples of oriental beech and the minimum were in sessile oak wood with 3% concentration. These results can be related to the fact that the higher density of oriental beech wood (0.630-0.685 g/cm³). In both species of wood, impregnation with SiO2 resulted loss of about 3-5% in bending strength and 0.6-9% in modulus of elasticity.