Preservation of structural wood

preservation of timber means protecting timber from fungi and insects attack so that its
life will increase. Timber is to be seasoned well before application of preservatives. The
following are widely used preservatives :
1. Tar
2. Paints
3. Chemical Salt
4. Creosote
5. ASCO
1. Tar
Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. The coating of tar protects the timber from the
attack of fungi and insects. t is a cheapest wa! of protecting timber. "ain disadvantage of
this method of presevation is that appearence is not good.
#. Paints
Two to three coats of oil paints are applied on clean surface of wood. the paint protects the
timber from moisture. The paint is to be applied from time to time. Paint improves the
apperance of the timber.
$. Chemical Salt
These are the preservatives made b! disolving salts in water. The salt used are copper
sulphate% &inc chloride and sodium fluoride. after appl!ing salts varnishes applied to get
good appearence.
'. Creosote
Creosote oil is obtained b! distillation of coal tar. The seasoned timber is kept in an airtight
chamber and air is e(hausted. Then creosote oil is pumped into the chamber at a pressure
).* to 1 +,mm
#
at a temperature of -)
)
C. After 1 to # hours timber is taken out of the
chamber.
-. ASCO
This preservatives is developed b! the .orest /esearch nstitute 0ehradun. t consist of 1
part b! weight of h!drated arsenic pento(ide 1 AS#O- %#H#O2% $ parts b! weight of copper
sulphate 1 CuSO'.-H#O2 and ' parts b! weight of pottasium dichromate 1 3#Cr#O42 or
sodium dichromate 1 +a#Cr#O4.#H#O2. This preservative is available in powder form. 5!
mi(ing si( parts of this powder with 1)) parts of water the solution is prepared. The
solution is then spra!ed over the surface of timber. This treatment prevents attack from
termites.