Copper-ethanolamine-based wood preservatives are still the most important solutions for protecting wood in ground applications in Europe. Wood in the ground is exposed to a variety of organisms that can act synergistically. In order to simulate these conditions in the laboratory, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) specimens impregnated with copper-ethanolamine preservative of three different concentrations (cCu = 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5%) were exposed to three different soils according to procedure ENV 807, for periods between 12 and 32 weeks. After the relevant period of exposure, samples were isolated, and their mass loss, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity were determined. In the final step, the remaining copper in the samples was determined. The results showed that, in spite of significant copper leaching, the tested copper-ethanolamine-treated wood exhibited good performance in ground applications. Furthermore, a good correlation was found between the mechanical properties and mass loss, regardless of the chemical treatment applied.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2106505
Most European wood species do not have durable wood. In order to be used in outdoor conditions, non-durable material must be protected. Non-biocidal solutions for wood protection have been attracting a lot of attention, particularly in class 2 and 3 applications. One non-biocidal technique is treatment of wood with water repellents, such as wax emulsions and oils. Linseed oil and tung oil are frequently used water repellents. This research reports on the performance of linseed- and tung-oil-treated Norway spruce and beech wood against wood-decay fungi. Additionally, short-term hydrophobic properties were determined (with a tensiometer), as well as long-term hydrophobic properties (by soaking in water) in laboratory and outdoor conditions (electrical resistance measurements). Wood treated with tung oil and linseed oil is protected against brown- and white-rot fungi; however, tung oil was found more effective. Not only did the oils tested prove efficacious against wood-decay fungi, but they worked against short-, medium-, and long-term water uptake as well. Oil treated wood takes up less water during laboratory tests, as well as during outdoor testing.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2130313
The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the mechanical and fungicidal properties of three different wood species (English oak (Quercus sp.), common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies)) that had been in indoor use for several decades, compared to control specimens of freshly cut timber. The collected material was cut into smaller samples prior to further analysis. Extractive content, mechanical, fungicidal and sorption properties were determined according to standard procedures. The obtained results showed that the mechanical properties of oak wood do not deteriorate over the investigated time frame. On the other hand, the resistance of oak wood against fungi decreases over time. The reason for this is yet to be confirmed; it may be due to degradation of secondary metabolites. Similar results have been reported for spruce wood. There were no statistically significant differences in the mechanical properties of old and new spruce wood. In contrast to oak wood, there were also no significant differences in fungicidal properties, bearing in mind that spruce wood has lower durability than oak wood. Aging of beech wood resulted in a considerable decrease in the tested mechanical properties but showed no significant differences in fungicidal properties. Old beech wood specimens were moderately deteriorated by insects and fungi, which was the reason for the loss of bending and compressive strength. Our results confirm that most of the relevant properties do not deteriorate with time and that wood can be reused for a variety of other applications even after decades in service.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2138505