A treated cellulosic material comprising a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing the reaction product of one or more of the following: a water soluble polyol, an epoxy-containing resin, a catalyst or curing agent, and the cellulosic material. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a water-soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with an epoxy-containing resin.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

A description is given of a wood-encased pencil comprising a casing and a core, the casing consisting of wood material impregnated with a saccharide component, the saccharide component comprising at least one mono-, di- or oligosaccharide in solution in a vehicle.

A method of producing a thermally modified and impregnated wooden product is described herein. One or more pieces of wood are thermally modified. The thermally modified wood is formed into a wooden object by hand, tool, machine, a computer numerical controlled machine, or combinations thereof. The wooden object is then impregnated with one or more treatment agents to produce the thermally modified and impregnated wooden product. The wooden object is impregnated by applying pressure or heat while the object is in the presence of the one or more treatment agents. Minimal, if any, deformation of the thermally modified wooden object occurs during impregnation.

Disclosed is a reactor system for the modification of lignocellulosic materials. According to the invention, the system comprises a reaction vessel, a vacuum connection and an inlet and/or outlet connected to a gas flow loop connected to a heat exchanger and at least one fluid circulation device. Particularly, gas flow loop is arranged so as to allow gas circulation over the diameter of the reaction vessel. The gas flow loop preferably includes a gas distribution device, such as a distribution plate.

Disclosed is a reactor system for the modification of lignocellulosic materials. According to the invention, the system comprises a reaction vessel, a vacuum connection and an inlet and/or outlet connected to a gas flow loop connected to a heat exchanger and at least one fluid circulation device. Particularly, gas flow loop is arranged so as to allow gas circulation over the diameter of the reaction vessel. The gas flow loop preferably includes a gas distribution device, such as a distribution plate.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating wood to give it a desirable color that is durable over time, while at the same time rendering the wood resistant to fungal decay and insect attack. The wood may be pressure treated in a two-step process whereby the wood is first treated with a wood preservation composition, and then treated with a composition comprising pigments, or vice versa. Alternatively, the wood may be simultaneously treated with a composition comprising a wood preservative and a composition comprising pigments.

The present invention provides a paraffin-reinforced wood and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, a paraffin-reinforced wood in which a natural wood is vacuum impregnated with dissolved paraffin and processed, thereby preventing a penetration of moisture into the wood and increasing durability and corrosion resistance of the wood, such that the reinforced wood is very useful as various deck-wood, agricultural wood posts, water wood posts, etc., and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the same.

The present invention provides a paraffin-reinforced wood and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, a paraffin-reinforced wood in which a natural wood is vacuum impregnated with dissolved paraffin and processed, thereby preventing a penetration of moisture into the wood and increasing durability and corrosion resistance of the wood, such that the reinforced wood is very useful as various deck-wood, agricultural wood posts, water wood posts, etc., and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the same.

Disclosed is a process for the acetylation of wood. The wood to be acetylated is first subjected to an extraction step. The resulting extracted wood particularly has a reduced hemicellulose content. This extracted wood is subjected to contact with an acetylation agent. The extraction can be done with an extraction fluid which is, e.g., water, acetone, ethanol, methanol, or acetic acid. The water can be pure water, such as tap water or demineralised water, or it can be a dilute salt solutions (e.g. water containing ammonium oxalate or sodium sulphite). Hot water extraction is preferred. The resulting acetylated extracted wood, particularly wood elements, have a desirable swelling behaviour at lower acetyl contents than conventional acetylated wood. The wood can be in the form of wood elements, solid wood, or wood veneers.