Evaluation of weathering and termite resistance of the Myoung-oil as a Korean traditional coating agent

IRG/WP 22-10996

S-M Yoon, Y Park, W-S Jeon, H-M Lee, J-G Park, K Dal Nam, W-J Hwang

This study investigated the applicability of Myoung-oil (MO) as an eco-friendly preservative of Korean wooden cultural properties and buildings. Wood test specimens painted with various concentrations of MO were exposed in the external environment. Then color change and wettability of the wood surface were evaluated and compared depending on the exposure time. As a result of exposure for 12 months, the surface color of the untreated or termiticide-treated wood changed brown to grey. By the way, the surface color of treated wood with MO was maintained until 6 months of exposure time but finally changed to dark following mold colonization. Furthermore, the water repellency of MO, evaluated by measuring the contact angle, showed a higher level than that of the termiticide-oil (T100). It suggested that MO prevents graying because it formed a layer on the wood to prevent photodegradation of wood. In addition, to evaluate the possibility of preventing damage against termites, one of the major problems of wooden cultural properties, the resistance to termite was evaluated using the specimens exposed in the external environment according to the EN118 method. In the termite test of weathered wood specimens, MO was not effective against termites. And termite attack on weathered wood treated with M75 and M50 was observed according to the exposure time. However, the T100 and M25 reliably prevented termite attacks even when exposed outdoors for 12 months.


Keywords: Myoung-oil, traditional water repellent, natural weathering test, termite test

Conference: 22-05-29/06-02 Bled, Slovenia


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