Effect of Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) Leaf Extract on Technological Properties of Pine (Pinus brutia)

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to determine the retention properties of extracts obtained from the leaves of Liquidambar orientalis Mill., (belonging to  the class of medicinal aromatic plants) to organic (ecological) wood structures, thereby creating an ecological wood preservative that could be preferred in a wide variety of applications. Wood samples were taken from red pine trees in the Köyceğiz Agla region. Then, 1%, 3%, and 5% solutions of the extract were prepared. Vacuum method was used as the impregnation method. After impregnation and conditioning, the experimental and control samples were tested for mechanical properties such as bending strength, modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, and dynamic bending strength, while physical properties such as air-dry and specific gravity tests were conducted. The highest retention value was found at a 5% concentration (1.13%), the highest air-dry specific gravity value at a 1% concentration (0.56 g/cm³), and the highest air-dry specific gravity at a 1% concentration (0.53 g/cm³). Among the mechanical properties, the highest bending strength value was determined at a 5% concentration (1.13%), the highest modulus of elasticity at 1% (9145 N/mm²), and the dynamic bending strength at a 3% concentration (0.27 kgm/cm²).