LAUSR

This study was conducted to enhance the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the short cycle coconut wood (SC-CTL) by impregnating with the kraft black liquor (BL) and black liquor/phenol formaldehyde (BL/PF) resin. The SC-CTL was impregnated with different kraft BL and BL/PF resin concentrations (i.e., 10, 15, 20 and 25% w/w) using the vacuum pressure method. Dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of the impregnated SC-CTL were analyzed according to the standards. The results showed that the impregnation of BL/PF resin into SC-CTL have improved the coconut wood’s dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties. The morphology of coconut wood’s cells loaded with BL/PF resin clearly showed a full penetration. The results also suggested that the addition of 20% BL/PF resin was sufficient to enhance the dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of SC-CTL. Thus, it is evident that the BL has the potentiality to be used as impregnant in SC-CTL through impregnation with vacuum-pressure method.