WOOD RESEARCH Volume 68, Number 2, 2023
Özlem Özgenç Keleş and Sefa Durmaz

A synergic effect of water-based acrylic resin with boric acid on leachability

In this study, the Scots pine wood samples were impregnated (single treatment) with boric acid combined with two types of water-based acrylic resin (pure acrylic and semi-translucent acrylic emulsion) to limit the boron leaching and improve the decay resistance. The results showed dimensional stability in anti-swelling efficiency and water absorption improved in wood specimens treated with boric acid and acrylic types. While the leachability was over 90% for only 3% boric acid-impregnated wood (control), it was calculated at 36% for acrylic emulsions-impregnated wood. Although there were no weight losses for the unleached woods, it was up to 9% for leached woods impregnated with acrylic resin and emulsion. The 25% acrylic emulsion had no weight losses after the leaching test for Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor. The boric acid combined with acrylic resin can improve the leaching resistance with the synergic effect, enhancing resistance against biological threats.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 67, Number 2, 2022
WANWAN ZHAO, Liang Wen, Zhu Liu, RUI LIANG, Yaoli Zhang, ZHENHUA HUANG, and Liping Cai

Decay resistance of preservative injected poplar and its process of preventing white rot fungi infection

This study initially investigated decay resistance of preservative injected poplar and its infection mechanism of preventing white rot fungi. The living poplar was injected with different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.%) of alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). Using the scanning electron microscopy, the process of preservative injected poplar wood preventing white rot fungi infection at different tree heights were examined. The decay resistance test results showed that the decay resistance of preservative injected poplar at different tree heights was significantly different. With the increase in tree height, the decay resistance decreased, and the higher the ACQ concentration, the better the decay resistance. The white rot fungi infested the poplar wood with the vessels as the breakthrough point, being spread to other cells through pits. The white rot fungi degraded wood cell walls by secreting enzymes and preferentially degraded the parenchyma cells.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 66, Number 4, 2021
Jiapeng Wang, Zhenju Bi, Zhangjing Chen, Li Yan, and Yafang Lei

Decay resistance, dimensional stability and mechanical strength of poplar wood modified with plant-derived compounds

The cinnamaldehyde, salicylic acid, stearolic acid and citric acid were plant-derived organic compounds that can be activated to fungi, that could degrade the wood in long term. The compounds with concentrations of 3%, 5% and 7% assisted by different dispersants were impregnated into poplar (Populus nigra L.) specimens by the vacuum-pressure method. After that, weight percentage gain (WPG), decay resistance against white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum), color change, dimensional stability and mechanical properties including modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured. The results indicated that cinnamaldehyde impregnated poplar showed antifungi activity against both G. trabeum and T. versicolor, and citric acid impregnated poplar showed antifungi activity against G. trabeum. The color of poplar specimens before and after impregnated cinnamaldehyde and citric acid had a little change, dimensional stability had been improved and mechanical properties especially for MOR increased significantly.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 65, Number 5, 2020
Liping Yu, Meifen Tian, LIFEN LI, Zhigang Wu, Sicheng Chen, Jie Chen, and Xuedong Xi

Study of nano colloidal silica sol based protectant on the prevention of masson pine

In this study, wood protectants were prepared by using manganese chloride, potassium carbonate, borax and nano colloidal silica sol. Effects of the wood protectants on decay resistance, anti-mold property and fire resistance of Pinus massoniana Lamb. were discussed. The results indicated that the optimal formula of the protectant was composed of 20% colloidal silica sol and 8% modifier (manganese chloride + potassium carbonate + borax). Under this formula, the protectant had good permeability and fluidity, accompanied with synergistic effect between colloidal silica sol and modifier. Pinus massoniana Lamb. treated by the protectant with this formula showed good decay resistance, and its mass loss rates after corrosion by Gloeophyllum trabeum and Coriolus versicolor were respectively about 21% and 19%, lower than those of the control group. This indicated that the preferred samples reached I-level decay resistance according to Chinese Forestry Industrial Standards LY/T 1283-2011. Moreover, Pinus massoniana Lamb. under this formula had good anti-mold property, manifested by 100% resistance to Aspergillus niger V. Tiegh and Trichoderma viride Pers. ex Fr. The treated Pinus massoniana Lamb. also showed good fire resistance with the oxygen indexes before and after leaching respectively at 20.45% and 13.64%, higher than those of the control group. It was concluded that the formulated protectant of this research had not only multiple functions of one dose, but also comprehensive resistances to decay, mold and fire, as well as strong leaching resistance.