Sample Origin Influencing the Leachability of Wood Preservatives

IRG/WP 11-20474

K Kängsepp. E Larnøy, P Meier

The aim of this study is to see if the raw material influences fixation and leachability of wood preservatives. Moving towards more eco-friendly and –concious society, the wood industries must adjust itself to new rules and regulations. Greener solutions in wood protection are being tested and introduced, older systems are being improved, but questions still arise concerning some elements currently used in wood preservation. Preservatives leaching into the nature is a problem, especially agents that consist copper. Studies have been conducted on the raw material`s influence on impregnability and variations in sapwood penetration have been found. This gives reason to believe that the leaching of wood preservatives is also influenced by the raw material. This study tries to set the variation of leachability of Wolmanit CX-8 and Tanalith into a system, evaluating the origin of a tree and the origin of a sample. The study uses Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris) as a raw material. Material was harvested from different stands in Norway and Denmark. Pine`s sapwood was cut into samples in size of 20x20x50mm. The samples were treated with the wood protection agents Wolmanit CX-8 and Tanalith. The variation in leachability within trees, between trees and between different stands was studied. Within this material, it is possible to trace the individual sample to its original position in the stem. Samples were climatized, impregnated with preservatives and leached according to standard EN84. Copper and boron content in water samples was determined by an ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) technique. Comparing leaching results with different variables, correlation was found with latitude and vertical position of the sample, indicating that southern stands leach out more preservative. The lowest part of the tree does not fixate preservatives as well as the upper parts. The study also demonstrates differences between products.


Keywords: copper, EN84, leaching, ratio of filling (RoF), Scots pine, wood preservatives

Conference: 11-05-08/12 Queenstown, New Zealand


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