Effects of rosin-aluminum sulfate treatment on the leachability, color stability, and decay resistance of wood treated with a boron-based preservative

Abstract

This study evaluated the combined effects of rosin and aluminum sulfate (alum) on the leachability of boron, the color stability, and the decay resistance of poplar (Populus ussuriensis) wood treated with boron compounds. After leaching, the boron content in the leachates was analyzed via the azomethine-H method. Results showed the amount of boron released from the rosin-alum-boron solution treated samples was reduced by approximately 30% when compared to the samples treated with boric acid alone. All samples treated with rosin-alum-boron formulations exhibited greater color stability than that of the untreated controls after being exposed to natural weathering. The decay resistance of the treated wood blocks was measured via a soil-block culture. The results revealed that after being treated with the rosin-alum-boron formulations, the decay resistance of the leached wood was markedly improved. The average weight loss of the samples degraded by both fungi tested was less than 20%. Notably, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the B element was still in the cell lumens of the leached and decayed wood blocks. This signified that the use of rosin combined with aluminum sulfate as a fixative agent may reduce boron leachability and could increase the usage of wood treated with boron preservatives.