Creosote losses due to ageing methods prior to laboratory efficacy testing

IRG/WP 02-20256

J Van Acker, K Ghekiere, M Stevens

Laboratory efficacy testing of creosote is affected by the impact of volatile components on the fungal growth. European test methods for assessing efficacy against Basidiomycetes and soft rot fungi is based on two standard methods, EN 113 and ENV 807 respectively. Combined with both fungal tests two pre-treatment methods are commonly used, namely EN 84 (leaching) and EN 73 (evaporation). Within the activities of the European research project "WOODPOLE" the impact of both ageing methods has been compared with several alternative methods using a gravimetric approach. The three creosote types defined by the Western European Institute for wood preservation (WEI) as types A, B and C have been used to treat wood blocks as in EN 113. Mass loss due to ageing revealed not only the importance of the diluting solvent used but also the impact of the creosote type. Since both EN 84 leaching and EN 73 evaporation proved to eliminate a considerable part of the absorbed creosote mass, it is suggested that prior to laboratory fungal testing for hazard class 4 applications (EN 335) a consecutive ageing of evaporation and leaching according to the existing standards should be applied. The conclusion that we came to and have used in the subsequent testing was that two different methods of ageing should be performed for Basidiomycete and softrot testing i.e. (1) for EN 113 ageing the EN 73 evaporation (12 weeks wind-tunnel exposure) and the EN 84 leaching after open air ventilation; and (2) for ENV 807 the initial ageing is based on EN 73 evaporation in the wind-tunnel, or a 12 weeks open air ventilation prior to the required EN 84 leaching.


Keywords: Creosote, ageing, leaching, evaporation

Conference: 02-05-12/17 Cardiff, Wales, UK


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