Use of natural hydrophobic treatments, such as oils, is increasing. These treatments are applied to improve overall performance of non-durable wood species in use class 3 applications (above ground). The biggest threats for outdoor wooden applications in most of the Europe are wood decay fungi, hence the aim of respective study was to elucidate overall performance of wood treated with tung oil. Namely: penetration of tung oil into wood, fungal and moisture performance. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging, contact angle of water, capillary uptake and long term water uptake was measured. For fungicidal performance EN 113 based methodology was applied for lab tests, double layer for outdoor tests. The results show excellent properties of tung oil treated wood. Experiments did not only prove efficacy against wood decay fungi, but against short, medium and long term water uptake as well.
Keywords: Picea abies, Tung oil, NMR, moisture, fungal performance
Authors
Žlahtič M.
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Lesar B.
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Thaler N.
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Serša I.
Jožef Stefan Institute
Mikac U.
Jožef Stefan Institute
Sepe A.
Jožef Stefan Institute
Kržišnik D.
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Humar M.
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Login to download the PDF