The objective of this study was to understand the micro-distribution of a copper-based preservative in wood in connection with anatomical morphology and to consider the fixation of copper in wood. Bulk specimens and semi-ultra thin sections (0.5µm) obtained from Japanese cedar were treated with a CuAz preservative solution. After fixation, SEM-EDXA was used to investigate the micro-distribution of copper. In sapwood, copper was more abundant in the compound middle lamellae than in the secondary wall in both earlywood and latewood, and also concentrated in the tori. Copper was most concentrated as crystalline deposits in longitudinal parenchyma cells. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed the copper amount to increase in this order: secondary wall in tracheid < middle lamellae < membrane of half-bordered pit < tori in tracheid < deposits in longitudinal parenchyma cell. These different concentrations may indicate significant interactions between the amine-copper complex in CuAz and chemical constituents of wood.

Download document (1.5 Mb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document