Chemical composition of Norway spruce and pine, two softwood species, has been investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Contrary to results previously obtained with beech wood, which allow to obtain information on bulk chemical composition from surface composition analysis, XPS analysis appears to be unsuitable for the characterisation of Norway spruce and pine wood chemical composition. Indeed, chemical compositions calculated from XPS data differ strongly from those obtained from microanalyses which are in good agreement with theoretical composition described in the literature. XPS analysis of both the softwood surfaces indicated high carbon contents explained by migration of lipophilic extractives to the surface under the influence of the vacuum necessary for XPS analysis. Nonvolatile extractives contained in wood were extracted and deposited on glass plates and analysed. Survey and detailed C1s spectra indicated similar signals to those recorded on wood surfaces. This phenomenon was not observed when samples had been previously extracted before analysis. These results strongly evidenced that extractives present in both species are able to migrate through resin canals from the bulk of the sample to the surface when put into ultra high vacuum. XPS presents, therefore, some limits in the case of the analysis of softwood species containing extractives able to migrate to the surface during analysis. This behaviour, difficult to control, could lead to erroneous interpretations due to extractives enrichment of the surface under the effect of vacuum.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1808265
Two waterborne acrylic coatings were applied on spruce wood, impregnated with two copper-ethanolamine containing preservatives, one of them containing a boron compound, octanoic acid and a quaternary ammonium compound as additives. Lower contact angles and deeper penetration of both coating types were observed on treated, compared to untreated wood. Improved adhesion of coatings on impregnated wood was exhibited as well. In general, characteristics of surface finishes on copper-ethanolamine treated wood were comparable to untreated wood. It was also shown that copper leaching from the preserved wood was significantly reduced by application of the surface finishes.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1915785
Waxes and wax emulsions are one of the most important solutions for non-biocidal wood protection. Wax treated wood is designed for outdoor use, therefore it is of considerable importance to elucidate the influence of weathering on the photodegradation processes. It is presumed, that wax treatment will reduce water uptake and thus reduce or slow down photodegradation processes. In order to test this hypothesis, three types of wax emulsions at two different concentrations were vacuum impregnated into Norway spruce wood specimens: an emulsion of montan wax (LGE), an emulsion of polyethylene (WE1) and an emulsion of oxidized polyethylene (WE6) wax. The samples were exposed to artificial accelerated weathering (AAW) for 500 cycles. Before and after AAW colour, the contact angle of water and moisture content were determined. Chemical and morphological changes at exposed surfaces were also investigated with FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. In parallel, the uptake of wax emulsions and water into the axial surfaces of samples was determined with a tensiometer. The moisture content measurements showed that the best hydrophobic effect was achieved with LGE treated wood, where the lowest colour and FTIR changes were observed as well. These results were supported by tensiometer measurements as well. Presented data clearly showed that high loadings of waxes reduce or at least slow down weathering. Among tested waxes, montan wax was found the most effective.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1914761