Investigation on weathering resistance of propionylated eastern cottonwood

In this study, the effect of propionylation on the weathering resistance of eastern cottonwood was investigated. The samples were propionylated under different reaction temperatures and times, and then the treated samples were exposed to natural weathering for 180 days. The color change of the propionylated wood was evaluated before and after weathering for time interval (40, 80 and 180 days). In addition, the surface roughness of the specimens was measured before and after weathering. The statistical analysis was done using Kruscal Wallis at the confidence level of 95% showed that propionylation reduced significantly the color change (turning grey( due to weathering. The color change reduced when the WPG increased. At the end of the exposure time to weathering, the surface roughness of the treated samples was 16.4% less than that for the control (untreated) samples but the difference was not statistically significant.