The effects of artificial weathering on Prosopis laevigata wood were studied on eight replicates (150 x 72 x 15mm (l x t x r)) free of knots, cracks and resin. The samples were exposed tangentially to UV light and to water spray during three cycles (1 cycle corresponded 1 week of artificial weathering). The conditioning time between each cycle was thirty days. The effects were measured according to visual appearance, crack formation, and colour changes; the results were then compared to two other well known timber species, namely teak (Tectona grandis) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). The specimens displayed changes in colour after three cycles of exposure. P. laevigata changed from brown to white. Delta C (Delta colour) increased from 5.6 to 9.6. There was less crack formation than in F. sylvatica but more than in T. grandis. Lightness was reduced from 61 to 37 after the first cycle; the lightness value of 35 was maintained at the end of the second and third cycles. The P. laevigata specimens showed several changes in colour after artificial weathering. The Delta C was higher due to the photodegradation of lignin and phenolic compounds caused the UV light and the leaching caused by water.

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