Effects of preservative impregnations on wettability and surface free energy properties of Eucalyptus grandis wood

IRG/WP 23-40978

A A Alade, C B Wessels, H Stolze, H Militz

Wettability and surface free energy (SFE) are crucial parameters for evaluating the adhesion thermodynamics of solid surfaces. Hence, this study investigated the effects of copper azole (CA) and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) preservative impregnations on Eucalyptus grandis wood wettability and SFE. Wettability was determined in terms of contact angles with polar (water) and non-polar (diiodomethane) probe liquids by sessile drop measurement. SFE was determined based on the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble model. Results obtained showed that CA and DOT impregnations reduced the wettability and SFE of E. grandis wood. CA impregnation had higher effects on water wettability recording a 22% increase in mean water contact angle, and a 90% reduction of mean polar SFE component. On the other hand, DOT impregnation had higher effects on diiodomethane wettability recording a 28% increase in mean diiodomethane contact angle, and a 10% reduction of mean dispersive SFE component. Adapting adhesive application and bonding protocols would be critical to mitigating the adverse effects of CA and DOT impregnations on adhesive bonding of treated E. grandis wood. These recommendations could apply to other preservative-impregnated woods with similar surface thermodynamic modifications.


Keywords: wood preservation, wettability, surface free energy, surface modification

Conference: 23-05-28/06-01 Cairns, Australia


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