Assessment of color and contact angle change of weathered wood in relation to wood species and different coating types

Abstract

Color change was compared through artificial and outdoor weathering tests according to wood species and stain type. In the artificial weathering tests, the color change DE was the highest for the initial 200 hour, and teak solvent-based stain was the most effective in preventing color change. Outdoor weathering tests also showed a rapid color change until the initial 60 days, and the uncoated larch specimens exhibited graying after 120 days. Teak solvent-based stain had the highest preventing color effect, whereas water-based white semi-transparent stain had the highest contact angle. It is difficult to check the color change of wood due to the addition of pigment in teak, as its resistance to moisture is rapidly reduced and its surface protection effect is poor. Water-based white semi-transparent stain prevented color change and maintained a contact angle of 57.1° for up to 150 days, confirming the effect of moisture resistance. This study aimed to provide basic data on weather resistance by wood species and to suggest that the development direction of outdoor exposed wood is a water-based semi-transparent stain.