The combined effects of copper sulfate and rosin sizing agent treatment on some physical and mechanical properties of poplar wood

► Some physical and mechanical properties of rosin–copper treated wood were examined. ► Rosin–copper treatment decreased the moisture absorption, WA, and swelling of wood. ► Rosin–copper treatments improved considerably dimensional stability of wood. ► Rosin–copper treatments increased the CSPG, BH on longitudinal and radial surface. ► MOR, MOE and BH on tangential values were slightly lower than that of control. This aim of this study was to determine the effect of rosin upon some physical and mechanical properties of poplar wood treated with mixtures of 3%CuSO4 and 1.0%, 2.0%, or 4.0% rosin sizing agent. Rosin–copper treatments decreased the moisture absorption, water absorption and swelling properties of wood, whilst increasing water repellent efficiency and anti-swelling efficiency to approximately 40% after 30-day immersion in water. In general, rosin–copper treatments increased the compression strength parallel to grain and Brinell hardness compared to controls, but the MOR and MOE were lower than that of control.