Wood Preservation: Technologies for the Twenty first Century

Rising levels of atmospheric pollution have been responsible for imposition of restrictions on use of persistent type insecticides and toxic chemicals. Some of the most effective wood preservatives are likely to be phased out by the turn of century. Since preservation of wood has to continue, new techniques involving use of non-toxic chemicals are being developed arond the world. This paper compares the performance and suitability of acetylation process developed by Wood Preservation Branch using thioacetic acid, with other processes using other reagents. The process compares well and has an edge over other processes being more effective against fungal and termite attack, improvement in dimensional stability and mechanical strength.