Your search resulted in 470 documents. Displaying 25 entries per page.
Outdoor termite resistance performance of zinc borate (Borogard® ZB) treated parallel strand lumber (PSL) – 15 years field test results
2024 - IRG/WP 24-40999
This report discloses the outdoor termite resistance performance of PSL samples treated with zinc borate at a dosage of 0.85% BAE and 1.72% BAE in Wuxi, China. The outdoor field trial lasted for 15 years and observations were made after 6 months, 3 years, 5 years 1 month, 6 years 6 months and 15 years. The retaining rates of B2O3 and ZnO in the final samples were also tested, and the hypothesis wa...
S Shi, E Laval, K Lung, F Ascherl, R Williams, W Li, X Li
Field performance of preserved shakes and shingles
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41000
Wood shakes and shingles are used in applications where they are at risk of decay, either in sidewall (UC3.1) or roofing (UC3.2) applications. Material durability may come from using the heartwood of naturally durable species, using preservative treatments, or both. Through a series of long-term field tests, this paper explores the performance of naturally durable and preserved shakes and shingles...
R Stirling, S Kus
Performance of Douglas-fir cross laminated timber (CLT) subjected to elevated humidity in a ground proximity field test for 6 years
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41010
The ability of insecticidal soil drenches or spray-on insecticide/fungicide treatments to protect mass timber elements exposed in a high moisture environment but out of direct soil contact was assessed using a modified AWPA ground proximity test established in 2017. Three-ply Douglas-fir CLT pieces measuring 305 x 355 x 105 mm (L x H x W) were installed at the Harrison Experimental Forest (HEF) (S...
M E Mankowski, J J Morrell, T G Shelton, G T Kirker
Analysis and performance of spruce alternative species and discarded wood for windows production
2024 - IRG/WP 24-50386
Climate change is having a significant impact on European forestry, particularly on the softwood species used for window frames. This study investigates potential replacement tree species for spruce (Picea abies), the predominant material for window frames. We evaluate Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), thermally modified poplar (Populus nigra) and discarded silver...
B Lesar, J Levanič, M Humar, A Treu
The durability and mechanical properties of 40 years old Black locust poles
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11042
This study investigates the durability and mechanical properties of 40-year-old black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) poles harvested from a vineyard in Slovenia. Wood from these poles was compared to recently harvested black locust wood to determine possible reuse options. Visual inspection, hyperspectral imaging, and laboratory tests were conducted to assess decay, density, mechanical properties, ...
M Humar, J Malik, J Levanic, D Krzisnik, E Kerzic, B Lesar
Towards eco-friendly fire retardant of wood - exploring fungal biomineralization
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11052
Timber is a strong, durable, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable building material but its combustibility represents a safety threat. Commonly used fire and flame retardants are often environmentally unfriendly, while safety cladding is labour intensive and covers the wood, decreasing the aesthetic appeal of the building. Mineralisation of wood with calcium carbonate has been shown to be a prom...
K Butina Ogorelec, A Gubenšek, A Sandak
Performance of Chromated Copper Arsenic Treated and Untreated Papua New Guinea Timber Species in Marine Exposure after 95 weeks (664 days)
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11062
A Masters’ thesis on the topic was successfully completed and submitted in September 2024. The thesis reports on results obtained from exposure of five Papua New Guinea (PNG) timber species (obtained from secondary growth or plantation grown) after 218 days (31 weeks) in a marine environment in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia. The species studied were: Hopea iriana (Hopea, heavy), Vitex cofas...
E Galore, J Norton, T Singh
Enhancing the Fire Resistance of Spruce Wood through Treatment and Additive Application: Small Flame Test Method
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20737
Spruce panels treated by spraying with Burnblock® spray, were tested using “Small flame test method” according to EN ISO 11925-2:2011. The fire retardant product from Burnblock ApS is reported by the Danish company to be bioderived and non-toxic. The results for the untreated planed spruce showed moderate flammability whereas the Burn Block treated panels exhibited exceptional fire resistance...
E S Mujanic, R Hasanagic, E Kerzic, L Fathi, M Humar
Investigation of a commercial fire-retardant additive on particleboard properties
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20755
Fire resistance of wood-based panels is in addition to mechanical and sorption properties, an important property when considering its usability for construction applications. Increased fire resistance is achieved through fire retardant addition during panel production or by spraying fire-retardant on already finished panel. A potential downside of fire-retardant addition during panel production ca...
D Jones, S Medved, M Lawther
Sustainable and environmentally friendly bio-based protection against fire
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20756
Flame-retardant agents are used to confer fire resistant properties with effects strongly dependent on their ability to form char during the thermal degradation. The char coats the polymeric materials and provides a good barrier against heat and oxygen diffusion, thus reducing the combustion rate of the polymeric materials. Halogenated agents that are used today are toxic and may cause severe heal...
M Tanase-Opedal, A Larsson, P O Flaete
Curing Behaviour of Bio-based Phenol Formaldehyde Resin and the Durability Performance of Treated Wood
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20758
The aim of the study is to investigate the curing behaviours of bio-based PF resins treated Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Compared to conventional wood preservatives such as metal-based ACQ, bio-based PF resin was more environmentally-friendly and can store more plant-based carbon inside treated wood. However, all these preservatives have the risk of being leached out. This study conducte...
Y-S Lee, P-Y Kuo
The impact of common fire retardancy salts and minerals on further properties of wood
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30821
Wood has become an increasingly important construction material. To ensure fire safety, fire retardants are widely applied. Recent research focuses on environmentally friendly fire retardants with strong fixation. Phosphate-based salts like diammonium hydrogen phosphate show high fire protection potential but are highly leachable due to their good water solubility. As a newer trend mineralisation ...
T Franke, T Volkmer
Mineral-wood composites with improved fire properties and durability prepared through MgCO3-based mineralization
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30823
New mineral-wood composites that demonstrate improved fire properties and higher resistance to selected fungi have been prepared using an environmentally-friendly mineralisation process involving impregnation with an aqueous magnesium acetoacetate solution. MgCO3-based compounds are formed in situ, deep within the wood’s structure. We show that the new mineralisation method overcomes wood’s lo...
A Pondelak, N Knez, S D Škapin, M Humar, A S Škapin
Enhancing strength, fire and biological resistance of wood through structural and chemical modification
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30831
Wood, a renewable and versatile biopolymer, has been a fundamental material to construct traditional and advanced composites for building construction, furniture, transparent composites, and various other applications. Despite its many advantages, including its aesthetic appeal, workability, and relatively low cost, wood possesses inherent limitations such as susceptibility to biological, flame an...
R Abouzeid, M S Koo, Q Wu
Performance Verification of Water-Based Outdoor Wood Protection Coatings Based on Weather Resistance Evaluation
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41015
Recent trends in wood protective coatings: Concerns over volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and the need to reduce maintenance costs have increased demand for environmentally friendly and highly durable coatings. While conventional solvent-based paints are superior in durability, they have been associated with problems such as environmental impact and odour during application. As an alterna...
N Ikemoto
Effect of biodiesel-containing solvents on the performance of Copper Naphthenate and Pentachlorophenol: 118-month assessment and depletion analysis
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41022
Solvent systems are incredibly important in determining the performance of oilborne wood preservative systems and they can cause early failures in commodities treated with an otherwise effective preservative system. It is important to assess new solvent performance with oilborne preservative systems to ensure these systems continue to function with the changes. One solvent/preservative combination...
J Cappellazzi, M J Konkler, J J Morrell, C S Love, G Presley
Optimising properties of citric acid-sorbitol bonded particleboards with added ammonium dihydrogen phosphate as fire retardant
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41033
Due to the adverse health effects of formaldehyde-based adhesives and their fossil origin, there is an ongoing search for appropriate bio-based adhesives for particleboards. Although there are some possible solutions, their use in construction is limited partly due to their low moisture resistance and flammability. The latter can be improved by adding various fire retardants. A particleboard with ...
L Kopač, S Medved, B Lesar, M Humar
Colorimetric performance of temperate wood species under tropical weathering
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41041
The appearance of wood, including its color and texture, is one of the most important features for its application as solid products, such as furniture, cladding, and terrace decking. Weathering can cause significant changes in the color of wooden products in outdoor applications, influencing their market acceptance and long-term performance. This study evaluated the colorimetric performance of fo...
K da Silva Pereira, S J da Costa Lima, M F C Santos, L Emmerich, C Brischke, D C Batista
Migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil from creosote-treated Douglas-fir and southern pine posts in the first 12 months since installation
2025 - IRG/WP 25-50404
Creosote is a widely used industrial wood preservative largely used for infrastructure-related applications such as utility poles, railway ties, and in marine pilings for protection against fungi, insects, and marine wood borers. Creosote is a coal tar distillate consisting of a complex mixture of organic compounds that together function as a biocide. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are th...
K Quigley, G Presley
Analysis of A Wooden Structure Damaged in a Fire – The Wooden Granary at Zaprice, Kamnik
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41049
Zaprice Open-Air Museum in Kamnik, Slovenia, features several granaries dating to the early 19th century, forming part of the national Cultural Heritage Register (EID: 1-09881). One of the two-chamber wooden granaries, constructed in 1828, suffered significant fire damage in December 2024. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of the damage, assess the structural integrity, and id...
M Humar, B Lesar, L Kopač, A Žagar