Thermal spray metal coating technology was used to apply a thin layer of copper on the surfaces of a number of wood species. The adhesion of metal coating to mahogany, oak, soft maple, spruce, white pine and medium density fibreboard (MDF) was evaluated by pull off adhesion test. The resistance of copper coated wood samples to mildew were assessed in the lab. Also, the decay resitance and water repellency of Cu-coated white pine wood samples were tested. The water immersion tests were designed to measure the performance of coating in reducing water–uptake from wood, and then to calculate the rate of water vapour transmission during drying time as a measure of coating permeability. The adhesion of copper coating to both hardwoods and softwoods were very good. The adhesion of Cu-coating to MDF was greater than the cohesion of MDF layers. The Cu-coated samples had significantly lower weight loss than uncoated wood after decay test. Also, there were no sign of mildew growth on the coated surfaces of wood samples exposed to mildew test. Overall, thermal spray metal coating on wood proved to be a very useful technique to protect the surface of wood from decay and mildew.

Download document (409 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document