Biological durability and wood-water interactions of sorbitol and citric acid modified wood – Effects on the expected service life

IRG/WP 23-40960

K Kurkowiak, L Emmerich, H Militz

A high level of research activities on sorbitol and citric acid (SorCA) modified wood has been recognized in Europe over the last few years. As this treatment is close to entering an industrial-scale production, it is of interest to investigate how such treated wood performs upon long-term outdoor exposure. Hence, in this study Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was modified with aqueous solutions of sorbitol and citric acid at various solid contents (10-50%). Afterwards, untreated and modified specimens were subjected to moisture uptake and release tests and the changes in wettability were registered. Overall, the water uptake of SorCA-treated specimens significantly decreased in comparison to untreated control specimens. Based on results from this and earlier studies testing the resistance of SorCA modified wood against wood-destroying basidiomycetes, the wettability (kwa) and inherent durability (kinh) factors were calculated and used to determine the resistance dose (DRd) of the materials under test. These values were then implemented in a dose-response model and used to predict the service life of SorCA-modified wood under real-life above ground conditions.


Keywords: citric acid, durability, moisture behavior, service life prediction, sorbitol, wood modification

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


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