The methods for modifying coniferous wood by impregnation with epoxy resins were improved in research. Implementation of such methods increased the efficiency of interaction between the polymer composition and the wood structure. A comprehensive methodology for experimental research has been developed and thoroughly detailed. It encompasses sample preparation, autoclave treatment procedures, curing conditions for the modifying material, and the mechanical test procedure. Full-scale experiments revealed the deformation characteristics and performance of modified and unmodified softwood species – pine, larch, and spruce – accounting for differences in failure mechanisms. Obtaining experimental data on the behaviour of epoxy-modified wood specimens under compression along the grain allowed a more complete assessment of changes in strength compared to untreated samples. Autoclave modification significantly increases wood strength: by 1.29 times for pine, 1.21 times for larch, and 1.36 times for spruce, confirming the effectiveness of this technology for improving mechanical properties.
Kysliuk et al. (Thu,) studied this question.