# Investigation of the Acoustic Properties of Chemically Impregnated Kayu Malam Wood Used for Musical Instrument

Authors: Md. Faruk Hossen; Sinin Hamdan; Md. Rezaur Rahman
Journal: Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
 (2018)

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## Abstract

The chemical modification or impregnation through preparing the wood polymer composites (WPCs) can effectively reduce the hygroscopicity as well as can improve the acoustic properties of wood. On the other hand, a small amount of nanoclay into the chemical mixture can further improve the different properties of the WPCs through the preparation of wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs). Kayu Malam wood species with styrene (St), vinyl acetate (VA), and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay were used for the preparation of WPNCs. The acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) of wood were examined using free-free flexural vibration. It was observed that the chemically impregnated wood composite showed a higher value of Ed/γ than raw wood and the nanoclay-loaded wood nanocomposite showed the highest value. The reverse trend was observed in the case of Q−1. On the other hand, chemical impregnation has a minor effect on ACE of wood for musical instruments. The results suggested that the chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) is suitable for making soundboards of violin and guitar instruments to be played longer without losing tone quality.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Currently, some selected traditional wood species have been selected for musical instruments by the musical instrument maker. Individual musical instruments require different acoustic properties for their optimal sound for soundboards, xylophone bars, and violin bows. The hygroscopic nature of wood affects the tone quality of wooden musical instruments. Spruce, rosewood, teak, and ebony are commonly used species due to their tight and uniform grain and high content of waxes/oils/resins that reduces the rate of moisture sorption [1]. The high-quality wood are getting harder to find and even more expensive. The musical instrument industry has looked for more available and less expensive wood species but continued to prefer the traditional ones. Although there are a lot of tropical wood species available in Malaysia, very few species such as Intsia palembanica (Merbau), Artocarpus champeden spreng (Cempedak), Dialium species, and Agathis borneensis have been used for manufacturing traditional musical instrument such as sapeh, gendang, rebana, beduk, and tar [2, 3]. However the Kayu Malam wood species has not been selected by researchers for any musical purposes. Thus, in this research, the Kayu Malam wood collected from Sarawak, Malaysia, was selected to determine the acoustic properties for making musical instruments, and research is conducted dominantly based on trial and/or experience of manufacturer.On the other hand, the hygroscopic nature of wood affects the tone quality of wooden musical instruments because as the moisture content increases, the acoustic properties of wood, such as the specific dynamic Young’s modulus and internal friction (Q−1), are reduced or dulled [4, 5]. In order to improve or stabilize the acoustic properties, varnish can be applied to the wooden parts or wood can be modified using chemical agents. It had been seen that excessive varnishing causes suppression of the sound level of the musical instruments [6]. The chemical modification or impregnation of wood can effectively reduce the hygroscopicity and increases dimensional stability of wood [1, 7]. The polymerization technique has commonly been used to modify or impregnate the wood species through preparing the wood polymer composites (WPCs). In addition, small amount of nanoclay into the chemical mixture can further improve the different properties of the WPCs through the preparation of wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs) [8–10]. Thus, in this study, Kayu Malam wood species, styrene, vinyl acetate, and montmorillonite nanoclay were used for the preparation of WPNCs.Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of chemical impregnation on the acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) of prepared WPNCs and its suitability for making violin and guitar (acoustic instruments).


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials

Kayu Malam (Diospyros borneensis) wood species was collected from local forest of Sarawak, Malaysia. The chemicals used for specimens treatment were styrene (ST), vinyl acetate (VA), benzyl peroxide (BPO), and montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT 1.28E). All chemicals were analytical reagent grade and supplied by Merck, Germany.


### 2.2. Specimen Preparation

The sapwood portions of tree were cut into 120 cm length and 4 cm thickness. Then they were conditioned to air dry in a room with relative humidity of 60% and ambient temperature of 25°C for 3 months prior to testing. The clear, defect-free planks were machined into dimensions of 340 mm (L) × 20 mm (T) × 10 mm (R) for free-free vibration test.


### 2.3. Manufacturing of WPNC

Wood samples were preliminary dried in an oven at 105°C until constant weight before treatment, and dimensions and weight were measured. The dried samples were then placed in the impregnation chamber followed by the application of vacuum of 10 kPa for 30 min in order to remove the air from the pores of the wood samples before addition of prepolymeric mixture. After that, vacuum was released. For the preparation of wood polymer composites (WPCs) and wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs), styrene, vinyl acetate, MMT nanoclay, and BPO catalyst were added in different amounts according to Table1.Table 1
Different chemical agents used for preparation of wood polymer composites.
Number
Wood
ST (mL)
VA (mL)
BPO (gm)
MMT (gm)
Product
1
Raw wood
—
—
—
—
RW
2
500
—
—
—
WM1
3
500
500
—
—
WM2
4
500
500
20
—
WPC
5
500
500
20
20
WPNCThe samples were then kept in the chamber at room temperature for another 4 hrs after attaining atmospheric pressure. After impregnation, samples were taken out from the chamber and excess impregnate from wood surfaces were wiped of. The samples were then wrapped with aluminium foil and cured for 24 hrs at 90°C in an oven. Then it was followed by drying for 24 hrs at 105°C for polymerization. Finally, the samples were then stored for acoustic measurements.


### 2.4. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy

The infrared spectra were recorded to determine the functional groups of wood samples. The Shimadzu 81001 FTIR spectrophotometer was used to scanned the sample with wavenumber at 4000 to 500 cm−1.


### 2.5. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

The interfacial bonding between the wood cell wall and monomer mixture was examined using a scanning electron microscope (TM3030) supplied by JEOL Company Limited, Japan. The samples were coated with a thin layer of gold before viewing on the SEM, and the images were taken at a magnification of 500x.


### 2.6. Acoustic Measurements

The free-free flexural test was carried out according to the first mode of vibration [11]. The sample, metal plate, electromagnetic driver, and microphone were setup according to Figure 1. In order to achieve a resonant or natural frequency, the frequency was varied from 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz, and dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed) was calculated using the following equation:(1)Ed=4π2f2l4AρImn4,where I=bd3/12, d is the beam depth, b is the beam width, l is the beam length, f is the natural frequency of the specimen, n is the mode of vibration, ρ is the density, A is the cross-sectional area, and m1 = 4.73.Figure 1
Schematic diagram for free-free flexural testing [11].The internal friction (Q−1) was obtained by reducing the amplitude to 0.5 (6.02 dB) below the amplitude of the resonant frequency using the following equation:(2)Q−1=tanδ,where δ=πΔf/f03;Δf=f2−f1; f0 = resonant frequency; f1 = lower frequency; and f2 = upper frequency.The acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) was calculated using the following equation:(3)ACE=Ed/γγtanδ,where γ = specific gravity = m/mw; m = the mass of sample at air-dried state; and mw = the mass of displaced water.


## 2.1. Materials

Kayu Malam (Diospyros borneensis) wood species was collected from local forest of Sarawak, Malaysia. The chemicals used for specimens treatment were styrene (ST), vinyl acetate (VA), benzyl peroxide (BPO), and montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT 1.28E). All chemicals were analytical reagent grade and supplied by Merck, Germany.


## 2.2. Specimen Preparation

The sapwood portions of tree were cut into 120 cm length and 4 cm thickness. Then they were conditioned to air dry in a room with relative humidity of 60% and ambient temperature of 25°C for 3 months prior to testing. The clear, defect-free planks were machined into dimensions of 340 mm (L) × 20 mm (T) × 10 mm (R) for free-free vibration test.


## 2.3. Manufacturing of WPNC

Wood samples were preliminary dried in an oven at 105°C until constant weight before treatment, and dimensions and weight were measured. The dried samples were then placed in the impregnation chamber followed by the application of vacuum of 10 kPa for 30 min in order to remove the air from the pores of the wood samples before addition of prepolymeric mixture. After that, vacuum was released. For the preparation of wood polymer composites (WPCs) and wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs), styrene, vinyl acetate, MMT nanoclay, and BPO catalyst were added in different amounts according to Table1.Table 1
Different chemical agents used for preparation of wood polymer composites.
Number
Wood
ST (mL)
VA (mL)
BPO (gm)
MMT (gm)
Product
1
Raw wood
—
—
—
—
RW
2
500
—
—
—
WM1
3
500
500
—
—
WM2
4
500
500
20
—
WPC
5
500
500
20
20
WPNCThe samples were then kept in the chamber at room temperature for another 4 hrs after attaining atmospheric pressure. After impregnation, samples were taken out from the chamber and excess impregnate from wood surfaces were wiped of. The samples were then wrapped with aluminium foil and cured for 24 hrs at 90°C in an oven. Then it was followed by drying for 24 hrs at 105°C for polymerization. Finally, the samples were then stored for acoustic measurements.


## 2.4. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy

The infrared spectra were recorded to determine the functional groups of wood samples. The Shimadzu 81001 FTIR spectrophotometer was used to scanned the sample with wavenumber at 4000 to 500 cm−1.


## 2.5. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

The interfacial bonding between the wood cell wall and monomer mixture was examined using a scanning electron microscope (TM3030) supplied by JEOL Company Limited, Japan. The samples were coated with a thin layer of gold before viewing on the SEM, and the images were taken at a magnification of 500x.


## 2.6. Acoustic Measurements

The free-free flexural test was carried out according to the first mode of vibration [11]. The sample, metal plate, electromagnetic driver, and microphone were setup according to Figure 1. In order to achieve a resonant or natural frequency, the frequency was varied from 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz, and dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed) was calculated using the following equation:(1)Ed=4π2f2l4AρImn4,where I=bd3/12, d is the beam depth, b is the beam width, l is the beam length, f is the natural frequency of the specimen, n is the mode of vibration, ρ is the density, A is the cross-sectional area, and m1 = 4.73.Figure 1
Schematic diagram for free-free flexural testing [11].The internal friction (Q−1) was obtained by reducing the amplitude to 0.5 (6.02 dB) below the amplitude of the resonant frequency using the following equation:(2)Q−1=tanδ,where δ=πΔf/f03;Δf=f2−f1; f0 = resonant frequency; f1 = lower frequency; and f2 = upper frequency.The acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) was calculated using the following equation:(3)ACE=Ed/γγtanδ,where γ = specific gravity = m/mw; m = the mass of sample at air-dried state; and mw = the mass of displaced water.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. FTIR Study

The FTIR spectra of raw wood (RW), wood polymer composite (WPC), and wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs) are shown in Figure2. The absorption bands observed for raw wood (curve A) at 3,354 cm−1, 1,753 cm−1, and 1,271 cm−1 correspond to –OH stretching of hydroxyl group in cellulose, C=O stretching of acetylated xylem in hemicellulose, and C–O stretching of acetyl group in lignin, respectively [12–14]. A decrease in the wave number to 3,296 cm−1 for –OH group was observed in WPC (curve B). The shifting of the corresponding peak to the lower wave numbers was probably due to the transfer of some hydroxyl groups from the wood cell walls to the polymer chains [15]. The other peaks also shifted toward lower wave numbers as the intensity decreased (curve B) due to polymerization. In the WPNC spectrum (curve C), the new peaks at 2,927 cm−1 and 904 to 692 cm−1 were observed along with the other peaks for MMT nanoclay. These peaks were assigned to aromatic symmetric –CH2 stretching and oxide bonds of metals into the MMT, respectively.Figure 2
FTIR spectra for RW (A), WPC (B), and WPNC (C).It was also observed that the intensity of –OH stretching decreased and shifted to 3,277 cm−1 compared to 3,354 cm−1 from RW [16, 17]. The decrease in intensity and shifting of peaks to lower wave number might be due to the interaction of hydroxyl group of wood and clay with polymer which is reflected on acoustic properties shown in Figure 3 and also evident from SEM images in Figure 4. Similar decrease and shifting in intensities of –OH stretching to lower wave number had been reported by other researchers while studying the FTIR analysis of wood/polymer/clay nanocomposite [18].Figure 3
The specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ) (a), internal friction (Q−1) (b), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) (c) of raw and polymerized Kayu Malam wood.
(a)
(b)
(c)Figure 4
SEM images for RW (a), WPC (b), and WPNC (c).
(a)
(b)
(c)


### 3.2. Acoustic Properties

The acoustic properties of wood are expressed by three major properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE). The first mode of vibration was considered to evaluate the acoustic properties using the free-free flexural vibration technique [7, 19]. Ed/γ and Q−1 or tanδ are related to sound velocity and sound absorption or damping within the wood, respectively, whereas the ACE is related to the ratio of acoustic energy radiated from the musical instrument to the energy given by the string [20]. In this study, the acoustic properties of raw and chemically impregnated (polymerized) Kayu Malam wood are shown in Figure 3. It was observed (Figure 3(a)) that the chemically impregnated wood (WM1, WM2, and WPC) showed a higher value of Ed/γ than RW, and the nanoclay-loaded wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) showed the highest value than others. The highest increment was found for WPNC (increased by 30.11%) followed by WPC (increased by 26.34%), WM2 (increased by 24.19%), and WM1 (increased by 10.75%), respectively. However, the reverse trend (Figure 3(b)) was observed in the case of Q−1. The Q−1 value of WPC was lower than that of RW and the WPNC exhibited the lowest value. It had been reported that wood with higher value of Ed/γ and lower in Q−1 is suitable for soundboards of violins and guitars [3, 21]. It is suggested that the chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer composite (WPC) can be used for making soundboards, and nanoclay-incorporated wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) is most suitable for this purposes.On the other hand, the ACE (Figure3(c)) of WPC and WPNC was slightly lower than RW, whereas the WPC and WPNC were found with similar ACE values. It can be stated that chemical impregnation has a minor effect on ACE of wood for musical instruments. It is also suggested that the musical instrument made from chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer composite (WPC) and also wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) to be played longer without losing tone quality [7]. The above results are due to enhanced interfacial interaction among the wood cell walls, polymer, and nanoclay into the composite system [18] which is evident from SEM images shown in Figure 4.


### 3.3. SEM Study

The SEM images of RW, WPC, and WPNC are presented in Figure4. The figure indicates that there appear significant differences in the interfacial interaction between fiber and polymer matrix in the composite system. The SEM image of RW shows the fiber pullout with rough surfaces and voids (Figure 4(a)). The treated wood polymer composite (WPC) shows better interfacial interaction between wood and polymer matrix (Figure 4(b)) [22].The improvement of interfacial adhesion between wood and polymer is due to the chemical modification as well as polymerization that enhanced the hydrophobicity of wood fiber [8]. In addition, the clay-incorporated wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) showed less fiber pullout from the fractured surface and better dispersion of filler throughout the matrix which in turn improved interfacial interaction among wood, polymer, and nanoclay (Figure 4(c)). This is due to the MMT particles that increased the interaction between polymer and wood fiber [23]. As a result, a significant improvement in acoustic properties of the nanocomposites indicated that St, VA, and MMT had been successfully impregnated into Kayu Malam wood which is reflected in Figure 3 earlier.


## 3.1. FTIR Study

The FTIR spectra of raw wood (RW), wood polymer composite (WPC), and wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs) are shown in Figure2. The absorption bands observed for raw wood (curve A) at 3,354 cm−1, 1,753 cm−1, and 1,271 cm−1 correspond to –OH stretching of hydroxyl group in cellulose, C=O stretching of acetylated xylem in hemicellulose, and C–O stretching of acetyl group in lignin, respectively [12–14]. A decrease in the wave number to 3,296 cm−1 for –OH group was observed in WPC (curve B). The shifting of the corresponding peak to the lower wave numbers was probably due to the transfer of some hydroxyl groups from the wood cell walls to the polymer chains [15]. The other peaks also shifted toward lower wave numbers as the intensity decreased (curve B) due to polymerization. In the WPNC spectrum (curve C), the new peaks at 2,927 cm−1 and 904 to 692 cm−1 were observed along with the other peaks for MMT nanoclay. These peaks were assigned to aromatic symmetric –CH2 stretching and oxide bonds of metals into the MMT, respectively.Figure 2
FTIR spectra for RW (A), WPC (B), and WPNC (C).It was also observed that the intensity of –OH stretching decreased and shifted to 3,277 cm−1 compared to 3,354 cm−1 from RW [16, 17]. The decrease in intensity and shifting of peaks to lower wave number might be due to the interaction of hydroxyl group of wood and clay with polymer which is reflected on acoustic properties shown in Figure 3 and also evident from SEM images in Figure 4. Similar decrease and shifting in intensities of –OH stretching to lower wave number had been reported by other researchers while studying the FTIR analysis of wood/polymer/clay nanocomposite [18].Figure 3
The specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ) (a), internal friction (Q−1) (b), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) (c) of raw and polymerized Kayu Malam wood.
(a)
(b)
(c)Figure 4
SEM images for RW (a), WPC (b), and WPNC (c).
(a)
(b)
(c)


## 3.2. Acoustic Properties

The acoustic properties of wood are expressed by three major properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE). The first mode of vibration was considered to evaluate the acoustic properties using the free-free flexural vibration technique [7, 19]. Ed/γ and Q−1 or tanδ are related to sound velocity and sound absorption or damping within the wood, respectively, whereas the ACE is related to the ratio of acoustic energy radiated from the musical instrument to the energy given by the string [20]. In this study, the acoustic properties of raw and chemically impregnated (polymerized) Kayu Malam wood are shown in Figure 3. It was observed (Figure 3(a)) that the chemically impregnated wood (WM1, WM2, and WPC) showed a higher value of Ed/γ than RW, and the nanoclay-loaded wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) showed the highest value than others. The highest increment was found for WPNC (increased by 30.11%) followed by WPC (increased by 26.34%), WM2 (increased by 24.19%), and WM1 (increased by 10.75%), respectively. However, the reverse trend (Figure 3(b)) was observed in the case of Q−1. The Q−1 value of WPC was lower than that of RW and the WPNC exhibited the lowest value. It had been reported that wood with higher value of Ed/γ and lower in Q−1 is suitable for soundboards of violins and guitars [3, 21]. It is suggested that the chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer composite (WPC) can be used for making soundboards, and nanoclay-incorporated wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) is most suitable for this purposes.On the other hand, the ACE (Figure3(c)) of WPC and WPNC was slightly lower than RW, whereas the WPC and WPNC were found with similar ACE values. It can be stated that chemical impregnation has a minor effect on ACE of wood for musical instruments. It is also suggested that the musical instrument made from chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer composite (WPC) and also wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) to be played longer without losing tone quality [7]. The above results are due to enhanced interfacial interaction among the wood cell walls, polymer, and nanoclay into the composite system [18] which is evident from SEM images shown in Figure 4.


## 3.3. SEM Study

The SEM images of RW, WPC, and WPNC are presented in Figure4. The figure indicates that there appear significant differences in the interfacial interaction between fiber and polymer matrix in the composite system. The SEM image of RW shows the fiber pullout with rough surfaces and voids (Figure 4(a)). The treated wood polymer composite (WPC) shows better interfacial interaction between wood and polymer matrix (Figure 4(b)) [22].The improvement of interfacial adhesion between wood and polymer is due to the chemical modification as well as polymerization that enhanced the hydrophobicity of wood fiber [8]. In addition, the clay-incorporated wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) showed less fiber pullout from the fractured surface and better dispersion of filler throughout the matrix which in turn improved interfacial interaction among wood, polymer, and nanoclay (Figure 4(c)). This is due to the MMT particles that increased the interaction between polymer and wood fiber [23]. As a result, a significant improvement in acoustic properties of the nanocomposites indicated that St, VA, and MMT had been successfully impregnated into Kayu Malam wood which is reflected in Figure 3 earlier.


## 4. Conclusions

Nowadays, the wood species are selected for musical instruments by the musical instrument maker due to its remarkable acoustic properties. Individual musical instruments require different acoustic properties for their optimal sound for soundboards, xylophone bars, and violin bows. The hygroscopic nature of wood affects the tone quality of wooden musical instruments. In this study, in order to improve or stabilize the acoustic properties, Kayu Malam wood species was chemically impregnated with styrene, vinyl acetate, and montmorillonite nanoclay through the preparation of wood polymer composites (WPCs) and wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs). The first mode of vibration was considered to evaluate the acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) using the free-free flexural vibration technique. The chemical modification of wood and interfacial interaction among wood, polymer, and nanoclay were confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test analysis.It was observed that the chemically impregnated wood composite showed a higher value ofEd/γ than raw wood, and the nanoclay-loaded wood nanocomposite showed the highest value than others. The highest increment was found for WPNC (increased by 30.11%) followed by WPC (increased by 26.34%), WM2 (increased by 24.19%), and WM1 (increased by 10.75%), respectively. However, the reverse trend was observed in the case of Q−1. On the other hand, the Q−1 value of WPC was lower than that of RW and the WPNC exhibited lowest value, and it was seen that the chemical impregnation has a minor effect on ACE of wood for making musical instruments.The results suggested that the chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer composite (WPC) and nanocomposite (WPNC) is suitable for making soundboards of violin and guitar instruments to be played longer without losing tone quality.



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*Source: 7829613-2018-04-29.xml*