Evaluation of Weathering Performance of Rosin-Copper Based Treated Wood

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of natural weathering on some surface characteristics and mechanical properties of Styrax wood treated with mixtures of 1.0%, 2.0%, or 4.0% rosin sizing agent and 3% copper sulfate. Wood samples after treatment were exposed to outdoor conditions for one year and changes in color, glossiness, weight loss, compression strength parallel to grain (CSPG), modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were investigated after 6 and 12-month of natural weathering. The results showed that rosin-copper treatment could improve color stability and gloss of samples after weathering. Mass losses of all rosin-copper treated samples after 12 months of exposure were negligible compared with the untreated control samples. In addition, rosin-copper treatment enhanced the CSPG compared to untreated controls, but slightly decreased the MOR and MOE of Styrax wood before weathering. Natural weathering factors induced a reduction for all strength properties, however, the decrease rate for strength properties of rosin-copper treated samples was negligible compared with the untreated control samples after 12-month natural weathering exposure. The FTIR and SEM-EDX confirmed that the use of the rosin-copper formulations to impregnate wood could decrease the hazard of the copper preservative leaching into the environment, while also enhancing more resistance against weathering factors and other biotic factors.

Laboratory Durability Testing of Preservative-Treated Wood Products

“…Therefore, such products need to be sampled in a representative manner, which can hardly be achieved without knowledge about the outdoor performance of the entire product. Furthermore, the latter is affected by the environmental conditions; the risk of weathering and leaching; and the type, retention, and distribution of the preservative itself [12][13][14][15][16][17]. The challenge of taking representative samples from wood products can be described using the example of preservative-treated Forests 2023, 14, 1001 2 of 13 utility poles made from pine wood (Pinus spp.).…”

“…Forests 2023, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 14 by the environmental conditions; the risk of weathering and leaching; and the type, retention, and distribution of the preservative itself [12][13][14][15][16][17]. The challenge of taking representative samples from wood products can be described using the example of preservativetreated utility poles made from pine wood (Pinus spp.).…”