Evaluation of the Durability of Petersianthus macrocarpus (Essia) and Its Preservative Impregnated and Surface Finished Wood

Summary

No reviewed summary yet. Read the abstract below or open the original publication.

Abstract

In Ghana, there is high demand for the few naturally durable commercially utilized species (CUS), which are threatened with extinction. The promotion of the numerous lesser-utilized species (LUS) and lesser-known species (LKS) requires urgent and critical evaluation to augment the severely depleted CUS. Some timber species are naturally durable and can resist biodegradation due to their extractives and lignin. However, some LUS, such as Petersianthus macrocarpus (Essia), which are noted for their non-durability, could be impregnated with preservatives and/or surface finishes to enhance their durability. In this study, heartwood and sapwood of P. macrocarpus were used as the study wood, while Ceiba pentandra (Onyina) served as the control samples. The mean moisture content of samples (2 cm cubes) was heartwood (12.78%) < sapwood (13.18%) < Ceiba (13.46%). Samples (30 × 2 × 2 cm) were impregnated with CCA-B (45 g) of concentration using a full-cell method. Three surface finishes—varnish, shellac, and lacquer (200 ml)—were each diluted (mixed) with 300 ml of thinner for varnish and shellac, while turpentine was used for lacquer, to a viscosity measured using a 12 s/DIN cup 4 mm/20° (ASTM D1200 Ford), and applied using a bristle brush after the preservative treatment. The samples were buried at half their length at 25 cm intervals in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at the “graveyard”. Thirty (30) samples for each treated and non-treated group of both timber species were used in this study. In addition, visual evaluations of the samples were conducted, focusing on the post-treatment weight and weight loss after 12 months of exposure at the “graveyard”.

Abstract as supplied by the source. Full text may be restricted by the publisher.