Fire resistance of wood treated with a cationic silica sol

Wood was treated with the cationic silica sol (CSS) Levasil 200S and dried at various temperatures (room temperature, 40, 60, 80 and 103 °C). A water leaching test revealed fixation of the silica in wood even after drying at room temperature. Maximum cross sectional swelling of the specimens decreased from 15.6 % (untreated control) to 13.0 %, when treated wood was dried at 103 °C; cell wall bulking values were also negative (?2.3 %), indicating a thermal degradation of the cell wall polymers catalyzed by the CSS. Penetration of the CSS into the cell wall did not occur. A simple flammability test revealed increased fire resistance of the treated wood. Mass loss and velocity of mass loss as well as burning time were reduced; glowing of the formed charcoal was completely prevented. The effectiveness increased with increasing weight percent gain of the CSS in the wood. Thermo gravimetric analysis under nitrogen atmosphere displayed only minor reduction in the initial temperature of thermal decomposition for wood treated with CSS as compared to the control. In the presence of oxygen the resulting charcoal showed comparable thermal behaviour to the control. The yield of charcoal after pyrolysis was increased to a minor extent (from 19.9 to 23.0 %), indicating that the release of combustible gases was hardly reduced. The mode of action of enhanced fire resistance due to CSS-treatment is discussed.     

Chemical extractive compounds determining the brown-rot decay resistance of teak wood

The relative importance of extractive content and its chemical compounds in imparting brown-rot decay resistance of teak wood was determined using HPTLC. Total extractive content (12.44%), tectoquinone (0.23%) and naphthoquinone (0.62%) were lower in home garden teak of wet site than of dry site with corresponding values of 15.98%, 0.34% and 1.26% in the latter. The amount of napthoquinone was more consistently correlated with higher decay resistance from the wet to the dry and planted sites implying that napthoquinone is the single most important compound which imparted decay resistance to teak wood against the two brown-rot fungi, viz. Polyporous palustris and Gloeophyllum trabeum.     

Effect of essential oil compounds and plant extracts on decay and termite resistance of wood

Essential oils and their derivatives have a long history of safe usage as antimicrobial agents in food industry. In this study various essential oils and extracts from plants were screened for their ability to inhibit wood decay and termite attack in laboratory decay and termite resistance tests using treated wood specimens. In the laboratory decay resistance tests, wood specimens treated with essential oil compounds were subjected to brown-rot fungus, Tyromyces palustris, and white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor for three months. The specimens were also subjected to termite attack by subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus for three weeks in laboratory conditions. The formulation with cinnamaldehyde (DF3) was found to be effective against both the brown-rot and white-rot fungi used in the study. However, the formulation with cinnamic acid (DF8) was able to protect wood specimens against only the white rot fungus and about 50% mass loss occurred in the specimens subjected to the brown-rot fungus. The mass losses in the wood specimens treated with cassia oil containing formulation (DF4) showed that cassia oil was effective against both fungi. The wood tar oil and dodecanal compounds also inhibited fungal decay in the specimens. The wood specimens treated with the formulations used in termite resistance tests were more resistant against the termites when compared to specimens treated with the formulations in decay resistance tests. Even after severe weathering process, treated wood specimens showed resistance against the subterranean termites. Results suggest that essential oils and plant extracts might be important to develop new wood preservatives that are less harmful to the environment and humans than recently available ones.     

Fire and bending properties of blockboard with fire retardant treated veneers

This study evaluated fire and bending properties of blockboards with various fire retardant treated veneers. Blockboards were manufactured using untreated fir strips and sandwiched between treated ekaba veneers at final assembly. The veneers were treated with either boric acid (BA), disodium octoborate tetrahydrate (DOT), alumina trihydrate (ATH), or a BA/DOT mixture. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity tests were performed according to European Standard EN 310. Blockboards were also tested for fire resistance as indicated by a cone calorimeter. Treatments had little negative effect on flexural strength; flexural stiffness was significantly lower for the highest treatment levels. Treatments resulted in a significant reduction in predicted flame spread rate.     

Effect of incising on the long-term biodeterioration resistance of alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) treated wood

The aim of this study was to investigate whether making incising for injecting alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) into wood extends the wood’s biodeterioration resistance. The biodeterioration resistance was checked by comparing long-term residual ACQ in wood with a toxic threshold to fungi. The residual ACQ in wood was estimated by leaching ratios and a long-term emission model which was derived by leaching tests of full-sized ACQ treated wood. The initial retention and the amount of ACQ leached of incised specimens were higher than those of non-incised specimens. However, the initial retention had a larger impact on leaching ratio than amount of ACQ leached. As a result, the leaching ratios of incised specimens were lower than those of non-incised specimens. The results indicate that incised wood can be expected to have the biodeterioration resistance for a longer period of time than non-incised wood.     

Bonding performance of heat treated wood with structural adhesives

Bonding of untreated, intermediate (hydro-thermolysed) and heat treated wood with melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde (PRF) and polyurethane (PUR) adhesives was studied. An industrial heat treatment process (Plato ^®) was used, which included two separate heat treatment stages and a drying stage in-between. Laminated beams having four lamellas were prepared from untreated and treated timber for mechanical testing of the bond lines. The results of the tests showed that heat treatment affected the shear strength and the delamination of the laminated wood depending on the adhesive system used for bonding. The PUR and MUF adhesives performed in a rather similar way, and better than the PRF adhesive. The shear strength of laminated wood bonded with the waterborne MUF and PRF adhesives decreased for the specimens made of hydro-thermolysed timber and decreased further for the specimens made of fully heat treated timber. The difference in adhesive bond shear strength between untreated, intermediate and fully treated wood was less obvious in the case of the PUR adhesive. Delamination of the PRF bond line decreased drastically for all the specimens made of heat treated timber.     

Penetrability of resins and polyethylene glycols in ammonia treated spruce wood

The penetrability of melamine formaldehyde resins (MF) and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with different molecular weights in ammonia modified spruce sapwood was examined using microscopic techniques. We found a strong increase of the penetration depths of MF-resins and PEGs in wood soaked with ammonia. After ammonia evaporation the penetrability decreased to values lower than for untreated wood. Further, we found dependence between the penetration depths of MF resins respectively PEGs, their molecular weight, and the used solvents.     

Fungal and termite resistance of wood treated with 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate

This study evaluates the decay and termite resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) treated with 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate (MTFB). Decay resistance tests of unleached samples showed that 2%, 1.5% and 1% concentrations of MTFB (15.4 kg/m³, 11.1 kg/m³, and 7.4 kg/m³, retention levels, respectively) gave less than 2% decay of Postia placenta and concentrations of 2% and 1.5% less than 2% decay of Coniophora puteana. Wood specimens treated with 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate solutions were not protected against the brown rot fungi after a 14-day severe leaching process, suggesting excessive leaching of the chemical from wood. Treatment with 2% concentration protected against subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki based on mass losses in both leached and unleached wood specimens in comparison with lower concentration levels. These results suggest that 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate might be promising to protect wood being used outdoors against termite attack. However, 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate did not protect wood against fungal decay. Field tests are needed to observe the performance of 4-methoxytrityl tetrafluoroborate treated wood in ground contact.     

Laboratory evaluation of boron-containing quaternary ammonia compound, didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) for control of decay and termite attack and fungal staining of wood

This study evaluates the decay and termite resistance of wood treated with didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF), a recently developed quaternary ammonia compound containing boron. Laboratory decay resistance tests were performed using brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris and white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor. Treated wood specimens were also subjected a 3-week-termite resistance test using subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus. Decay resistance tests showed that wood specimens treated with 0.5 and 1.0% DBF solutions were well protected against both fungi even after a 10-day severe leaching process, suggesting the adequate fixation of DBF in wood. DBF treatment at 0.1% concentration was efficient against subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki based on mass losses in both leached and unleached wood specimens. The ability of DBF to inhibit discolorations by selected mold and stain fungi was also screened in laboratory conditions. DBF at the highest concentration level (1%) provided limited protection against mold and staining fungi tested, however, it was effective for only short-term protection (1 or 2 weeks) at lower concentrations. These results suggest that DBF is promising to protect wood to be used outdoors against both fungal decay and termite attack however field tests are needed to observe the performance of DBF-treated wood in ground contact.     

Natural decay resistance of LVL made of veneers from durable and non-durable wood species

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was laboratory manufactured using veneers from decay and non decay resistant species in order to evaluate changes in the durability as a result of the LVL manufacturing process, and to test if the mixing of decay resistant species and non decay resistant species can improve durability. Laboratory soil block test and field test were conducted. The durability of solid wood was comparable to that of LVL made using the same species. For LVL made using veneer from durable and non-durable wood species, durability was improved when two faces and one core veneers were from decay resistant species.     

Natural decay resistance of LVL made of veneers from durable and non-durable wood species

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was laboratory manufactured using veneers from decay and non decay resistant species in order to evaluate changes in the durability as a result of the LVL manufacturing process, and to test if the mixing of decay resistant species and non decay resistant species can improve durability. Laboratory soil block test and field test were conducted. The durability of solid wood was comparable to that of LVL made using the same species. For LVL made using veneer from durable and non-durable wood species, durability was improved when two faces and one core veneers were from decay resistant species.

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Natürliche Fäulnisresistenz von Brettschichtholz aus haltbaren und nicht haltbaren Holzarten

Zusammenfassung Aus fäulnisunbeständigen und -beständigen Holzarten wurde in einem Labor Brettschichtholz hergestellt, um Veränderungen in der Dauerhaftigkeit auf Grund ihres Herstellungsverfahrens zu evaluieren, und um zu prüfen, ob das Mischen von fäulnisunbeständigem mit fäulnisbeständigen Holzarten die Dauerhaftigkeit von LVL verbessern kann. Bodentests wurden im Labor und als Freilandversuche durchgeführt. Bei Verwendung derselben Spezies war die Dauerhaftigkeit von massivem Holz vergleichbar mit derjenigen von LVL. Bei Brettschichtholz, welches aus resistenten und nicht resistenten Arten gefertigt war, wurde die Dauerhaftigkeit verbessert, wenn zwei Aussenschichten und eine Innenschicht aus einer fäulnisbeständigen Holzart war.

     

Sound insulation of walls using wood insulation mat and plywood jointed with a combination of adhesive tape and wood dowels

In this study sound insulation of walls was evaluated using wood insulation mat and plywood jointed with a combination of adhesive tape and wood dowels. Building of actual wall assembly test specimens and evaluating their sound insulation revealed that the sound transmission loss for jointing using a combination of adhesive tape and wood dowels was considerably higher than that using nails, for middle and high frequency ranges of 2 kHz and above. When comparing heat-insulating materials (sound-absorbing materials), the test specimen using high-density glass wool had greater sound insulation than the specimen using low-density materials, and the specimen using wooden heat-insulating/sound-absorbing materials showed roughly the same properties as glass wool of 20 % higher density. When the sound insulation for impact sounds of the experimental specimen (joined with adhesive tape and using wooden heat-insulating/sound-absorbing materials) was compared to a specimen with a typical composition (joined with nails and using glass wool), the former proved to have better sound insulation, by approximately 10 dB for light impact sounds between 400 and 800 Hz and approximately 5 dB for higher frequencies. For heavy impact sounds, the experimental specimen displayed a greater sound insulation for all frequencies, by 5–10 dB at frequencies of around 100 Hz and of 400 Hz and above.     

Leachability and termite resistance of wood treated with a new preservative: ammonium borate oleate

Synthesis of a new chemical compound combining water-repellence of oleic acid and biocidal effect of boric acid linked by ammonia have been followed and validated by fourier transformed infra red (FTIR). This compound named ammonium borate oleate (ABO) has then been studied as a wood preservative. Different molar ratios of oleic acid have been involved in the synthesis of ABO and leachability of those mixes from wood observed according to Japanese industrial standard. The formulation one mole of boric acid and one of ammonia (1:1:4) for four moles of oleic acid has shown the best efficiency compared to formulations 1:1:1, 1:1:2 and 1:1:3 with about 52% of boron remaining after weathering when other formulations retained respectively 10%, 29% and 46% of boron in the case of an impregnation of Cryptomeria japonica. Seven solutions of 1:1:4 ABO in ethanol of different concentrations were then produced and sapwood blocks of C. japonica and Fagus crenata were impregnated. A toxicity threshold of around 2.0 kg/m³ for both species was determined in a termite resistance test to Coptotermes formosanus indicating the positive effect of combining water repellent and biocide. Termite mortality recording and microscopic observations complete this study indicating that the action mechanism of ABO is providing a water resistant inner coating.     

A comparative study on brown-rot fungus decay and subterranean termite resistance of thermally-modified and ACQ-C-treated wood

The resistance of thermally-modified and Alkaline Copper Quaternary type C (ACQ-C) treated aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) against the brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum) and Eastern U.S. subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) was studied. Wood materials were thermally-modified at a temperature of 210 °C for 15 min. ACQ-C was impregnated into yellow-poplar and jack pine wood at three different retention levels and at each level both leaching and non-leaching procedures were conducted. Results indicate that ACQ-C-treated yellow-poplar and jack pine became significantly more resistant to the brown-rot fungus compared to the thermally-modified wood and the untreated control. Thermally-modified yellow-poplar and jack pine were more resistant to this fungus than untreated wood. For aspen and Scots pine, the resistance to G. trabeum was improved after the thermal modification, but it remained susceptible to this brown-rot fungus decay. Termite susceptibility of thermally-modified aspen, jack pine, and yellow-poplar was comparable to that of untreated controls. Significantly greater termite attack occurred on thermally-modified Scots pine wood than it did on untreated wood. This likely is attributed to some compounds contained in Scots pine wood that inhibited termite attack.     

Shear properties of metal-free wooden load-bearing walls using plywood jointed with a combination of adhesive tape and wood dowels

In this study, the potential of wood-only (metal-free) load-bearing walls was proposed and tested based on the idea of using the same type of material throughout wherever possible while improving basic properties such as strength, sound insulation, and heat insulation. Specifically, a technique was tested of combining pressure sensitive adhesive tape and wood dowels in place of nails for load-bearing structures with panel reinforcement represented by wood-frame construction. For this paper, its strength was evaluated by conducting in-plane shear tests, which revealed that the initial rigidity and maximum load of the proposed test specimens were greater than that of specimens using nails for jointing. However, the shear load factor, which is calculated based on some strength parameters and which forms the foundation of housing strength design, was slightly lower than that of the nail-jointed specimen. This was because there was a large decline in post-collapse resistance and a lower calculated absorbed energy caused by brittleness. The early detachment of panels was also revealed as a problem in the tests.     

Physical, mechanical, and fire properties of oriented strandboard with fire retardant treated veneers

This study evaluated physical, mechanical and fire properties of oriented strand boards (OSB) covered with fire retardant treated veneers. The beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) veneers were treated with either monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, lime water or a borax/boric acid (1:1 by weight) mixture. Physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were performed according to EN and DIN standards. A cone calorimeter was used to determine their combustion characteristics. The physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were adversely affected by the treatments. The specimens treated with lime water had the best physical performance while the specimens treated with borax/boric acid had the highest mechanical properties. The fire retardant treatments of the face veneers were effective in reducing the initial contribution of heat release to potential fire growth. In particular, the lime water treatment was an effective fire retardant treatment in that it reduced both the effective heat of combustion and the mass loss rate. It also delayed the times for sustained ignition.