Application of natural organic compounds and simple physico-chemical treatments in wood conservation has, as its objective, not only its protection against biological agents but, equally importantly, protection of natural environment by gradual abandonment of toxic constituents still applied commonly on a wide scale. The introduction into wood of new, non-toxic impregnation agents manufactured on the basis of animal proteins aims to create an effective protection against biological factors, primarily the reduction of the degree of leaching out of the impregnation agent from wood. Experiments were carried out on the effectiveness of mixtures of carboxyl acids with animal blood protein against Coniophora puteana fungus. The object of the performed investigations was sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) impregnated with mixtures of carboxyl acids and animal blood plasma. Directly after impregnation, wood was subjected to thermal treatment with the aim to denaturate proteins. Mycological investigations were carried out using an accelerated agar-block method according to procedures described in EN 113 and EN 84 standards. The objective of the performed studies was to assess the effectiveness of blood protein as a constituent reducing the process of washing out of preservatives from wood. A low weight loss of samples saturated with the formulation containing propionic and ethyl buthyl acids and animal protein applied in the form of SOLUTEINTM preparation was demonstrated. The degree of leaching of carboxyl acids as active constituents from wood saturated with tested mixtures was estimated applying a mycological test as well as on the basis of chemical analysis of aqueous extracts from the leaching process. The performed experiments showed good protection properties of protein, which reduced effectively the extent of leaching of the active substance from wood.

Download document (390 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document