Investigation on wax-impregnated wood. Part 1: Microscopic observations and 2D X-ray imaging of distinct wax types

Abstract

Abstract The migration and deposition of hot melting wax in wax-treated wood is not described in detail in the literature, although such products are available on the market. In the present study, this topic was investigated based on pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The behavior of three different waxes was studied by means of 2D X-ray measurements and scanning electron microscopy observations. The three waxes did not show distinct differences in their deposition patterns. An intensive wax deposition could be observed within the vessels, tracheids, and fibers. In P. sylvestris the ray tracheids were penetrated with hot melting waxes, therefore there is a lateral wood penetration from the outer to the inner wood. In general, no wax penetration was visible within the parenchyma tissue and epithelium cells. Cracks were detected within the wax deposits as well as secondary microcapillaries, which were visible between the deposits and the cell walls.