Resistance of acetylated wood to biological degradation. Evaluation of field test
IRG/WP 97-30139
P Larsson Brelid, R Simonson, Ö Bergman
Acetylated wood samples were tested in ground contact (stake test) at two test fields, one in Simlångsdalen, Sweden, and one in Viikki, Finland, according to European standard EN 252. The test samples were inspected annually and their condition was compared with that of untreated controls and of samples treated with two reference CCA preservatives. The use of untreated controls and preservative treated wood also gave an indication of the aggressiveness of decay at individual test fields. Results showed that acetylation has a major impact on fungal resistance of wood. The resistance of acetylated wood with an acetyl content of about 20% is in the same range as that of wood of the higher retentions of the reference preservatives. At acetylation levels above 20%, none of the samples was rated higher than rating 1 (slight decay), either in Simlångsdalen or in Viikki after 5 years of ground contact.
Keywords: ACETYLATION; WOOD; DECAY; STAKE TEST
Conference: 97-05-25/30 Whistler, British Columbia, Canada