IMPROVED RATTAN THROUGH PHENOLIC RESIN IMPREGNATION - A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Calamus manan (rnanau) canes were vacuum-pressure impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resins of three different solids content levels. Effects of the resin solids content on improvements in physical and mechanical properties of the samples were studied. Results showed that the antishrink efficiency, specific gravity, hardness and nail withdrawal resistance increased with higher resin solids content. There was an optimum resin solids content to be used to obtain maximum improvement in the modulus of rupture, compression and shear strength.