Pressure treatment technologies have been available since the mid-1830's, but the processes used for wood treatment are still largely unable to overcome the fundamental limitations of flow through semi-permeable pit membranes. Instead, methods have arisen that attempt to improve treatability of the wood including incising, compression rolling, through boring, or radial drilling. Other approaches have altered the characteristics of the treatment fluid primarily by reducing viscosity. None of these methods has been completely successful. This paper reviews the methods employed to improve preservative penetration in wood and outlines research needs for addressing treatment of refractory wood species.

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