Effect of Waste Engine Oil Treatment on Moisture Absorption and Hygroscopic Performance of Selected Tropical Hardwoods

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Abstract

The moisture sensitivity of wood-based reinforcement can restrict dimensional stability and durability in humid service environments.This study examined the effect of waste engine oil impregnation on the moisture-absorption behaviour of three tropical hardwoods-White Safari (Triplochiton scleroxylon), Opepe (Nauclea diderrichii) and Bush Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis)-considered for reinforcement in wood-based composite applications.Prepared specimens were separated into untreated controls and waste-engine-oil-treated groups.The treated specimens were immersed in filtered waste engine oil, drained and conditioned to stable mass before gravimetric moisture-absorption assessment.Moisture transport was interpreted using Fickian diffusion principles, while treatment effects were evaluated statistically at a 95% confidence level.Waste engine oil treatment reduced equilibrium moisture absorption in all three species.White Safari decreased from 11.80% to 6.20%, Opepe from 10.50% to 5.70%, and Bush Mahogany from 10.30% to 5.50%, corresponding to reductions of 47.46%, 45.71% and 46.60%, respectively.The treated specimens also showed slower moisture uptake and lower equilibrium values than the untreated controls.These findings are consistent with partial occupation of pores and lumens by a hydrophobic oil phase and reduced accessibility of water-binding sites.The results demonstrate that waste engine oil impregnation can substantially reduce hygroscopic response in the selected hardwoods.However, environmental safety, contaminant leaching, long-term weathering and application-specific durability require evaluation before engineering deployment.

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