Weathering characteristics of hardwood surfaces

Summary Four hardwoods, red oak, white oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum, were exposed to outdoor weathering and to artificial ultraviolet (UV) light with wavelengths of >220 and >254 nm. Discoloration and loss of brightness were observed from all specimens regardless of their exposure conditions. White oak and sweetgum changed color at a slower rate than did red oak and yellow-poplar. SEM micrographs showed that all wood species exhibited surface deterioration after 30 days exposure to sunlight or 500 hrs to UV light. Loss of middle lamella, separation of procumbent cells, and damage of pit structures were observed on transverse sections for all species. ESCA studies revealed a high oxygen content at the wood surfaces indicating severe oxidation of wood exposed either outdoors or to artificial UV light. The generation of new chromophoric groups such as carbonyls, carboxylic acids and quinones, and the loss of lignin at the oxidized surface were demonstrated experimentally by infrared studies.This study was supported by cooperative research funds provided by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. The authors wish to acknowledge this support     

Effects of UV light irradiation on colour stability of thermally modified, copper ethanolamine treated and non-modified wood: EPR and DRIFT spectroscopic studies

A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the colour stability of chemically treated and thermally modified wood compared to non-modified wood during long term artificial UV light irradiation. One set of wood samples was vacuum-pressure impregnated with alkaline (pH 9.8) copper (II) ethanolamine aqueous solution, while another set of samples from the same wood block was thermally modified at 210°C and −0.90 bar for 2 h. The treated and modified wood samples along with the non-modified ones were exposed to artificial UV light with the wave length in the region of UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm) intermittently for 500 h. Colour measurements were carried out throughout the irradiation period at an interval of 100 h according to CIEL*a*b* system, where the results are presented in terms of ΔE, ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* values. Better photo-stability in terms of colour changes was recorded for both treated and modified woods compared to the non-modified one. By means of EPR and DRIFT spectroscopic study it was shown that some degree of colour stability of treated and modified woods, achieved during artificial UV light irradiation, resulted from lignin modifications and monomers of phenolic compounds.     

木材光老化表征与评价方法研究进展

木材在户外使用过程中受到太阳光辐照易发生光老化,进而影响使用寿命。在木材光老化表征过程中受环境因素的影响,对木材光老化程度需要进行多方面性能的综合评价。因此全面阐述光老化表征方法以及性能评价,有助于为不同使用环境的户外材选用提供指导。文中分别介绍了自然老化和人工老化2种表征方法,总结了在2种表征测试过程中光源、温度、雨水等环境因素对木材光老化的影响;归纳了从木材组织结构、化学组分、物理和力学性能等方面对木材光老化的评价,并提出今后进一步开展相关研究工作的建议与设想。     

Effect of coatings on ACQ preservative component distribution and solubility after natural weathering exposure

Copper and quaternary ammonium compound distributions across lumber and amounts of available or soluble components were measured in coated and uncoated alkaline copper quat-treated southern pine lumber. Lumber that was not exposed to weathering had slightly higher copper retention near the surface and a steeper quat gradient. After 3?years of natural weathering, copper and quat leachings were significantly reduced by the coatings and leaching rates were low, even though the coatings were failing. The amounts of soluble copper were significantly reduced after weathering, even after accounting for the copper leached during the exposure. The relative amount of soluble monoethanolamine (Mea) remaining after weathering was low compared with copper. This reduction in soluble amine in the wood was most likely responsible for the reduced amounts of available copper. The reduced quat leaching from coated samples is attributed to the extended effectiveness of the coatings in the earlywood.     

Chemical characteristics of surfaces of hardwood and softwood deteriorated by weathering

The factors that cause weather-induced deterioration of wood surfaces were determined by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Albizzia (Paraserianthes falcata Becker.) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) were exposed to two temperate conditions of natural weathering with and without rainfall and to accelerated conditions of artificial weathering coupled with ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and water flashing. Infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that the oxidative reaction of lignin was observed under all conditions of weathering for both wood species. However, a marked decrease in lignin and hemicellulose content were recognized when albizzia woods were exposed to weathering with water. Lignin content in the softwood sugi did not decrease as much as in albizzia even in the presence of water, but the modification of lignin macromolecules was assumed to be accelerated by water, as seen by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. These results showed that the presence of water promotes the weathering deterioration of wood under UV irradiation.     

Effects of chemical modification with glutaraldehyde on the weathering performance of Scots pine sapwood

Scots pine sapwood was treated with glutaraldehyde (GA) in aqueous solution using magnesium chloride as a catalyst in order to evaluate the durability towards weathering. Infrared spectroscopy suggested that GA treatment increased the photo-stability of lignin during artificial weathering of micro-veneers in a QUV over 168?h; photo-protection increased with increasing GA concentration. In comparison with the unmodified controls, GA-modified pine micro-veneer strips exhibited a lower tensile strength loss measured in a zero-span mode in the course of weathering. During 18?months of outdoor exposure, GA-modified pine wood boards exhibited a lower moisture content and water uptake than the unmodified ones. GA treatment also clearly restricted the penetration of blue stain fungi into deeper layers of wood. On the macroscopic scale, the surface of the GA-modified boards was significantly smoother due to less erosion, cracking and minor peeling of tracheids. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed that individual tracheids were detached from the cell compound and then washed away from the unmodified wood surface, whereas tracheids on surfaces of GA-modified wood remained in the tissue compound but displayed many axial and transversal cracks.     

The effects of several commercial wood coatings on the deterioration of biological pigments in wood exposed to UV light

This research subjected four wood species pigmented with the red stain of Scytalidium cuboideum and Acer negundo wood pigmented with the tree’s naturally occurring red stain to natural and artificial UV light. Several commercially available coatings were applied to determine the effect of coating on the degradation of both red stains over time. The red stain of Acer negundo was found to be significantly less stable in UV light than the red pigment produced by S. cuboideum on any wood species, even A. negundo. None of the tested coatings significantly increased the pigment retention time of the red stain produced by A. negundo. The red stain of S. cuboideum was significantly affected by both coating and wood species; Populus tremuloides retained pigment significantly longer than Fagus grandifolia or Acer saccharum, and the Danish oil coating retained pigment significantly longer than the lacquer, water-based polyurethane with UV inhibitors, or the uncoated samples. Overall, lacquer increased the degradation rate of the red pigment produced by S. cuboideum, with the most pronounced increase occurring on F. grandifolia. These results indicate that the red-pigmented wood produced by A. negundo may not be appropriate for applications involving UV exposure, regardless of coating utilized. However, P. tremuloides wood pigmented with S. cuboideum may be appropriate for such applications, especially if Danish oil is applied as a coating.     

Photodegradation at the wood-clearcoat interface

Summary Western red cedar panels, one coated with a soft latex-based acrylic polymer clear coating and the other uncoated, were exposed outdoors under a series of cut-off filters for 50 weeks. FTIR-ATR spectra of the panels showed that the extent of delignification increased with decreasing wavelengths of the solar radiation incident at the wood surface. The results support the proposal that it is the UV component of sunlight that is primarily responsible for the degradation of lignin. The extent of loss of lignin from the surface of the exposed coated panel was significantly less than that for the exposed uncoated panel suggesting that the coating confers some protection from weathering to the underlying timber. Colorimetric measurements also showed that the degree of discoloration of the panels is related to the wavelength of the radiation penetrating the wood surface.This work was supported financially by ICI Dulux Australia and the Australian Research Council. The authors also express their appreciation for helpful discussions with G. J. Wilson of the Commonwealth of Australia Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (C.S.I.R.O.) and I. Leaver of Dulux Australia     

Changes in wettability of heat-treated wood due to artificial weathering

Effect of artificial weathering on the wettability of three heat-treated North American wood species (jack pine, aspen, and birch) is studied from the point of view of the structural and chemical changes taking place on the wood surface. Weathering increases wettability of all three heat-treated woods by water. Changes in wettability during artificial weathering differ according to heat treatment procedure and wood species and are likely due to combination of structural and chemical changes of the surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic analysis indicates that cracks form due to degradation taking place during weathering. As a result, water has easier entry into the cell wall, which consequently increases wettability. IR spectra suggest that the OH/CH₂ ratio for heat-treated specimens is inversely proportional to the contact angle regardless of the type of wood species. The presence of cellulose-rich layer on wood surface and increasing amount of amorphous cellulose transformed from crystallized cellulose due to weathering result in increase in hydroxyl; consequently, it increases heat-treated wood wettability.     

Weathering durability of CCB-impregnated wood for clear varnish coatings

Outdoor performances of a polyurethane varnish and an alkyd-based synthetic varnish coated over chromium-copper-boron (CCB)-impregnated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) [10 (R) × 100 (T) × 150 (L) mm] were investigated. These varnishes were also applied to the wood surface as sole coatings or impregnated into wood as water-repellent (WR) solutions. Outdoor exposure was performed in the Black Sea region of northern Turkey (41°N, 39.43°E) where humid weather predominates throughout the year and accelerates decomposition of coated wood surfaces. The wood panels were exposed at 45° south on their tangential surfaces. After 9 months of exposure to summer, autumn, and the following winter season, the color and glossiness changes of the exposed surface, adhesion of the coating layer to the wood surface, water absorption through the coating layers, mass loss, and the hardness of the board surface were studied. CCB impregnation greatly stabilized the surface color of varnish-coated panels of both wood species. Gradual decreases of adhesion between varnished layers and preimpregnated surfaces were attributed to probable weakening of interactions at the interface of the treated wood and the film layer. A superficial cleaning process of treated wood is suggested to improve glossiness and adhesion. The coated wood surface became harder with time on outdoor exposure until a maximum hardness occurred followed by softening, whereas the uncoated surface softened steadily. Polyurethane varnish yielded a harder surface than synthetic varnish. Mass losses of wood panels after 9 months of exposure were negligible for all treatments compared with the untreated controls, which were totally discolored and eroded on the surface. It is concluded that long-term exterior wood protection has been achieved by a successful combination of an appropriate preservative treatment followed by a compatible surface-coating process.     

The influence of surface-treated nano-TiO2 (rutile) incorporation in water-based acrylic coatings on wood protection

The aim of this research was to synthesize surface-treated nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles and incorporate them into water-based acrylic systems, which could offer long-term protection for UV-sensible wood substrates. To suppress the photocatalytic activity, the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles in rutile crystal structure was coated with amorphous silica (SiO₂) layer. The amounts of SiO₂ were 5 and 10 wt%, respectively. Formation of SiO₂ layer on TiO₂ surface was analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. SiO₂ layer thickness increases as a function of precursor loading. In addition, the influence of SiO₂ loading on rutile UV-protective properties was determined. Transparent UV-protective coatings were developed by incorporating surface-treated nano-TiO₂ into water-based acrylic stain. The particle size distribution was determined using dynamic light-scattering measurements, which indicate that the suspension of surface-treated rutile is stable against agglomeration. Furthermore, the color change and ability of protection against UV light of coatings after nanoparticles incorporation were determined. TiO₂, surface treated with 10 wt% of SiO_2, yielded coatings of higher transparency; however, TiO_2, surface treated with 5 wt% of SiO_2, improved UV protection.     

Discolouration and deformations of birch parquet boards during conventional drying

As a light coloured and relatively hard species of wood, birch is much in demand for wooden floors in Scandinavia. The problem with birch wood is that it easily becomes discoloured during conventional drying. Visual sorting by colour is impossible before the boards are processed into parquet blocks because the discolouration, except for yellowing of the surface, occurs inside the board. In addition to discolouration, harmful deformations occur in birch boards during drying. Colour changes and deformations were compared in birch parquet boards dried according to three different schedules. Received 16 April 1999     

纳米级涂层对竹材光泽度的影响

采用TiO2、ZnO、SiO2、AW 4种纳米颗粒和蒸馏水、AR、三聚氰胺树脂、酚醛树脂4种成膜物质组合成16种配方的涂层,对竹材耐光老化涂层的光泽度变化进行试验,结果表明,无机纳米材料为SiO2,成膜物质为三聚氰胺树脂的试样在光老化时光泽度的变化率最小。     

Estimating the moisture excluding effectiveness of surface coatings on Southern Yellow pine using acoustic emission technology

In this research, acoustic emission technology was used to estimate the moisture excluding effectiveness of coatings on wood. Moisture interaction with wood causes damage, and coatings such as paints and varnishes can effectively limit this interaction. Over time, the moisture excluding effectiveness of wood is reduced by the actions of weathering and the resulting wood-water interaction leads to problems due to the dimensional instability of the wood. Five coating types, at two spreading levels, were applied to samples of southern yellow pine. The samples were exposed to three weathering conditions to simulate the effects of exposure then immersed in water while the moisture interaction was monitored using acoustic emission monitoring equipment. Cumulative counts as well as changes in size and moisture content were measured or calculated. The results show that acoustic emission technology is an effective and sensitive estimator of the moisture excluding effectiveness of coatings on wood. The acoustic emission method is sensitive to local changes and coating fractures whereas the more traditional methods are sensitive to gross changes in sample characteristics. Of five coatings tested, the most effective one was found to be an oil-based paint, and the worst performance was by a water-based, clear poly-urethane. Received: 10 September 1998     

Effect of Nanocomposites Coatings on Exterior Performance of Bamboo during Aging*

Bamboo deterioration caused by light becomes a significant problem as application of bamboo extends from indoor to outdoor.The color and roughness of bamboo are two important exterior performances.This study focused on UV resistant nano composites coatings for exterior use and what aimed to find a formulation which could enhance the durability of bamboo.Four kinds of film-forming materials and four kinds of nano particles were used to improve bamboo exterior performance.The color and roughness of nano composites coatings were measured during accelerated weathering.Artificial aging time was 174 h at the temperature of 50 ℃.The experiment showed nanocomposites coatings had significant improvement in UV-shielding and nearly all the samples presented a darkening tendency in ΔL* and increasing tendency in Δa*,ΔE* and ΔRa.The orthogonal experiment obtained the least change in color and Ra which could be achieved with nano composites coating made by melamine resin and TiO2 when a* was considered as an important index.Film-forming material was the only factor which had significant influence on color and roughness when a* was not considered as important index,then melamine resin was the best choice.     

Resistance of wood from black pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus nigra</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">austriaca</Emphasis>) against weathering

At present tapped wood of black pines (Pinus nigra var. austriaca) is mainly combusted. The priority of material use over thermal recycling has led to some considerations regarding the utilization of tapped wood. The high content of extractives suggests a higher natural durability, and therefore, the suitability for outdoor applications. Tapped and not tapped wood boards from black pine (sapwood and heartwood) were subjected to weathering tests to find out its resistance against abiotic stress. Additionally tapped wood particles with a high content of resin were exposed to weathering and to composting. Weathering caused roughness to increase. Infrared spectral characteristics revealed the differences before and after tapping and weathering. Principal component analyses supported the grouping according to the chemical changes. In heartwood the lignin band at 1510 cm^??1 disappears and the typical resin band at 1688 cm^??1 decreases considerably. The lignin band of resinous parts is affected neither by weathering nor by composting. However, the resin band shows an intensity decrease and broadening due to weathering and disappears during composting.     

Weatherability and combustibility of fire-retardant-impregnated wood after accelerated weathering tests

The weatherability and combustibility of fireretardant-impregnated wood during accelerated weathering for up to 2000 h were evaluated. The ability of coating to retain fire-retardant chemicals against leaching was also examined using four coating systems (water-borne or solvent-borne, pigmented or clear, film-forming or penetrating). Furthermore, the distribution of fire retardants in the specimens was observed by scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive analysis of Xrays (SEM-EDX). The fire performance of the specimens during weathering depended on the chemical retention, and was maintained at a quasi-noncombustible material level if the chemical retention was above 150 kg/m³. The maximum duration of accelerated weathering to keep this retention was 250 h for the uncoated specimens, but increased to over 1000 h for pigmented coatings. SEM-EDX revealed that the fire retardants were accumulated in the cell lumina throughout the wood tissues. However, in the uncoated samples, the leaching of fire retardants occurred for surfaces exposed to light and water, and was observed down to a depth of ∼150 μm after 500 h. The leaching depth extended throughout the specimen after 1000 h. In contrast, the fire retardants still remained in samples finished with a solvent-borne pigmented penetrating coating even after 1000 h due to their relatively high chemical retention.     

水性透明涂料涂饰单板光变色的研究

以涂饰与未涂饰的杨木和樟子松单板为试材,利用氙光衰减仪进行光辐射试验,分析其光变色规律及影响因子,并进行耐光性能评价.结果表明:涂饰与未涂饰的单板受光辐射易发生变色,主要表现为明度指数L*降低,色度指数a*和b*上升,其中涂饰与未涂饰的樟子松单板的色度指数b*变化明显;涂饰水性双组分聚氨酯清漆单板的总色差值明显大于涂饰水性丙烯酸清漆单板,涂饰樟子松单板的总色差值大于涂饰的杨木单板;涂料种类和单板树种对涂饰单板的光变色均有一定的影响,但涂料种类影响较明显;涂饰与未涂饰水性双组分聚氨酯清漆的单板总色差值差异不明显,涂饰水性丙烯酸清漆单板的总色差值小于未涂饰的单板.     

Surface deterioration of wood-flour polypropylene composites by weathering trials

The market for wood-fiber plastic composites (WPCs) is expanding rapidly in many countries including Japan, where WPCs are mainly used for exterior products. In such applications, WPCs undergo undesirable color change, chalking, and shrinkage and swelling, and accordingly there is a need to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the weathering of WPC and develop methods of improving their weathering resistance. In this study, weatherability of WPC was assessed by natural and accelerated weathering trials. Discoloration (whitening) of WPC during exposure was caused by degradation of both wood and plastic. Darker color pigments as additives improved the color stability of WPC; however, chalking on the surfaces still occurred. The color stability of WPC was improved by application of exterior coatings. Preweathering of WPC (before coatings were applied) increased the absorption of coatings by the WPC and had a positive effect on the color stability and prevented chalking of the composites. Parts of this study were presented at the IUFRO XXII World Congress Meeting, Brisbane, August 2005 and the IAWPS 2005, Yokohama, November 2005     

Photodegradation of wood flour/polypropylene composites incorporated with carbon materials with different morphologies

ABSTRACT

In this study, wood flour/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites were prepared by incorporating 2?wt% carbon materials with different morphologies, including carbon black (CB), graphite (G), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). WF/PP composite without any additives was included as a reference. All composites were placed in the accelerated UV weathering tester for a total of 960 h. The physical and mechanical properties of composites were compared. The changes in surface morphology and surface chemistry were characterized by SEM AFM, and ATR-FTIR. The results showed that: (1) the addition of CNTs improved both flexural and impact properties of composites; (2) composites containing CNTs exhibited better color stability and less severe surface cracking during weathering; and (3) ATR-FTIR results revealed that all the additives alleviated surface photo-oxidation of composites due to their UV-screening effect. Overall, due to the improved interfacial bonding between WF and PP, CNTs were more effective in protecting wood–plastic composites from photodegradation.