Effects of impregnation with Imersol-AQUA on the bending strength of some wood materials

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of impregnation with Imersol-Aqua on the bending strength of some solid wood materials. For this aim, Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), oak (Quercus petrea Liebl.), scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris Lipsky), Uludağ fir (Abies Bornmülleriana Lipsky), Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis Lipsky) and poplar (Populus nigra Lipsky) wood samples were prepared according to TS EN 408 and impregnated with Imersol-Aqua by the method of short-, medium- and long-term dipping according to ASTM D 1413 and producers’ definition. After the impregnation process, bending strength was measured according to TS EN 408. Consequently, among the non-impregnated wood samples, the bending strength was found to be the highest in Oriental beech, (138.617 N mm−2) and the lowest in poplar (61.021 N mm−2). As for the period of dipping, the highest bending strength was obtained in short-term dipping and the lowest in long-term dipping. Considering the interaction of wood type and the period of impregnation, the highest bending strength was obtained in Oriental beech with short-term dipping (118.404 N mm−2) whereas the lowest was in poplar with long-term dipping (53.510 N mm−2). In consequence, in massive constructions and furniture elements that where bending strength after the impregnation is of great concern, short-term impregnation of Oriental beech and scotch pine wood materials could be recommended.