IRG Documents Database and Compendium


Search and Download IRG Documents:



Between and , sort by


Displaying your search results

Your search resulted in 10 documents.


Durability of Wood Plastic Composites Relative to Natural Weathering and Preservative Treatment With Zinc Borate
2005 - IRG/WP 05-40316
Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCs) used for decking have experienced dramatic increases in North America, averaging 25% growth per annum since 1998. A key factor contributing to this growth has been the successfully communicated message that they are "virtually maintenance free". The common perception being that the wood fiber is completely encapsulated by the thermoplastic resin, minimizing the pot...
M E Mankowski, F M Ascherl, M J Manning


Movement of borates in a range of timber species at various moisture contents
1998 - IRG/WP 98-30181
Borate-based wood preservatives are used in industrial pre-treatment as well as remedial treatment of timbers in situ. In both of these areas, understanding the mobile nature of these compounds is important in optimizing the main benefits of borates. Considerable work has been conducted on movement of borates in dip-diffusion treatment of freshly felled wood, as well as focusing on subsequent diff...
M W Schoeman, J D Lloyd, M J Manning


Mobility of zinc borate wood composite preservative
1997 - IRG/WP 97-30153
Zinc borate (ZB) is being used as an antifungal and insecticidal wood preservative for flake/strand-based composites. Data is reported on the laboratory and field leaching behavior of ZB when contained in apen flake composites. In general, the performance results correlate with leaching hazard. Although the boron in ZB is more resistant to depletion than in sodium borates, the ZB boron will deplet...
P E Laks, M J Manning


Preservation of wood composites with zinc borate
1995 - IRG/WP 95-30074
Inorganic borates such as boric acid, borax, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, and zinc borate can be incorporated into wood composites such as waferboard to impart decay and insect resistance to the final product. Zinc borate is especially well suited for this application due to its efficacy and leach resistance. The paper summarizes the work performed to date in this area. The effects on strengt...
P E Laks, M J Manning


Life Cycle Assessment of borate treated wood
2005 - IRG/WP 05-50224-12
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is being used increasingly around the world by decision-makers to help incorporate the environmental component of sustainability into their activities. U.S. Borax regularly assesses how its products contribute to sustainable development. Using data gleaned from LCA of its products, the company recently completed its first ISO 14040 compliant cradle-to-grave LCA of lum...
M J Manning


Wood-Plastic Composites and the Durability Dilemma: Observations from the Field
2006 - IRG/WP 06-40351
Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCs) used for decking, window & door moldings have experienced dramatic growth in North America over the last several years, with annual production increasing at rates greater than 20% per annum since 1998. A key factor contributing to this growth has been the successfully communicated message that they are "virtually maintenance free". The common perception being t...
M J Manning, F M Ascherl, M E Mankowski


Depletion and Redistribution of Boron in Bundles of Commercially Treated Lumber Exposed to Artificial and Natural Rainfall
2008 - IRG/WP 08-30474
The depletion and redistribution of boron from stacks of Southern Yellow Pine lumber pressure treated with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) and exposed to artificial and natural rainfall was examined. When the lumber was exposed to periodic simulated rainfall, 5.7-8.1% of the measured boron present leached from the lumber after exposure to over 300 mm of rainfall. In tests which exposed bo...
M E Mankowski, M J Manning


Performance of Zinc Borate-Treated Oriented Structural Straw Board against Mold Fungi, Decay Fungi and Termites–A Preliminary Trial
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40571
The performance of zinc borate (ZB)-treated oriented structural straw board (OSSB) against mold fungi, decay fungi and termites was examined in standard laboratory evaluations. OSSB was fabricated with split wheat straw and diphenylmethane diisocyante (pMDI) resin. The ZB was added during panel manufacture to achieve preservative levels (wt.%) of 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 3.0%. Untreated (0.0% ZB) OSS...
Guangping Han, M Manning, Wanli Cheng, E Pierre, W Wasylciw


Protecting Sustainable Wood Infrastructure ̶ Improving the Performance of Poles, Piles, Ties & Timbers with Dual Treatments
2019 - IRG/WP 19-30735
Wood is by far the best structural material in terms of environmental impact, as shown by a number of LCA studies. This environmental impact superiority can be improved if the longevity of the commodity is extended. The main durability concern in large cross-section treated materials is the susceptibility of the heartwood to decay, as it is not typically treatable using traditional methods. This ...
J Lloyd, A Taylor, C Brischke, N Irby, M Manning


COPPER NAPHTHENATE: A Product for All Seasons: Protecting the Americas’ Infrastructure for Over 100 Years and Potential for Expanded Usage in Europe
2019 - IRG/WP 19-30738
This paper is a brief review of the history and use of the wood preservative Copper Naphthenate, with a focus on use patterns within the USA and opportunities for expansion in Europe and Canada. This paper reviews how copper naphthenate has performed to preserve and protect cellulosic and wooden items essential to critical infrastructure, and why it is the ideal choice for use in the replacement o...
M H Freeman, J A Brient, M Manning