Eylem D. Tomak

Surface properties of bamboo and Scots pine impregnated with boron and copper based wood preservatives after accelerated weathering

In this study, we investigated the color, gloss and surface roughness of bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) samples impregnated with boron and copper based preservatives during accelerated weathering from 168 h to 672 h. Tanalith-E, ACQ, wolmanit-CB were used as copper-based chemicals, while a mixture of boric acid and borax (7:3; w/w) was used as the boron compound. Results showed that retention values of bamboo samples were lower than the retention values of Scots pine samples probably due to the bamboo’s anatomical structure and penetration characteristic. Bamboo surfaces became rougher and darker after impregnation and accelerated weathering compared to initial surfaces. Longer accelerated weathering periods seemed to have not a considerable effect on surface roughness of bamboo samples impregnated with copper based preservatives. Gloss of impregnated Scots pine samples increased with longer accelerated weathering period while gloss of bamboo samples decreased slightly with longer accelerated weathering period. Wolmanit-CB seemed to be most effective wood preservative for hindering color change and ensuring smooth surfaces after accelerated weathering. Color changes caused by accelerated weathering tended to be greater for impregnated bamboo samples than impregnated Scots pine samples.

Long-Term Leaching Effect on Decay Resistance of Wood-Plastic Composites Treated with Boron Compounds

In this study, water absorption, thickness swelling and decay resistance of thermoplastic composites treated with three types of boron compounds was investigated. Spruce wood flour was treated with boric acid (BA), borax (BX) and mixture of BA–BX, and then was reinforced at two loading rate (20 and 40 wt%) in polymer matrix. Decay test of the composites was performed using with a brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana and a white rot fungus Trametes versicolor both for leached and unleached samples. The morphologic evaluations of decayed samples were done by scanning electron microscopy. Composites containing higher wood flour loading resulted in increased water absorption, thickness swelling, weight loss and moisture content. Fungal decay susceptibility of WPCs was influenced by leaching test for 60 days. Boron compound treated composites showed higher weight loss and moisture content than controls in decay test. All tested performance parameters were considerably increased in BX containing composites.