The effect of 18 years exposure on toughness of CCB and creosote combination treated pine was examined. Vacuum CCB treated fence posts were subsequently treated at their lowest part (ground contact) with creosote using the open hot and cold tank process. After 18 years exposure under warm dry temperate climatic conditions in Greece, samples were taken from the above ground contact, top, middle and ground contact and tested for toughness using a Denison single blow impact bending test machine. There was no significant reduction of toughness in any of these zones. Chemical analysis of the residual CCB of unexposed and exposed samples by ICP showed that copper and chromium losses were insignificant but boron losses were significant but was more than 50% of the initial. This was attributed to an effect of creosote treatment. The results of this study show that climatic conditions of the exposure site play an important role. The climate is wetter and more favourable for decay in Northern Europe while in Southern Europe decay may be slower. Adequate protection may be achieved by less rigorous methods.

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