The use of biocides and fungicides in wood coatings and preservatives

Abstract

The distinctive trend in the quest for environmentally‐friendly wood preservatives and coatings towards water‐based formulations represents a challenge to the manufacturer and the raw material supplier alike to ensure that they offer the in‐use performance equivalent to that of solvent‐borne formulations. Explains that, in addition to the common need for fungicidal and algicidal protection of the dry film, the requirements for biocidal protection of water‐borne products are different from those of solvent‐based formulations in one key respect, the need for in‐can or wet‐state protection. Details the effects that micro‐organisms can produce in and on inadequately protected coatings and the physical and biological measures that can be undertaken to remedy and prevent such effects. Compares the necessary properties of biocides for wet‐state and dry‐film protection, and gives an appraisal of several biocide types.