TIMBER

PRESERVATION
 WELCOME
Week 9, Semester 1, 2020
WWT552 TIMBER TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING 1
READINGS:
• Readings:
• Walton (2004) Woodwork in Theory and
Practice,The Aust Pub Com Ltd Pages 248-254
READINGS:
At the end of this Lecture, you will be able to:

1. Define timber preservation.

2. Understand the chemical used in timber preservation.

3. Explain the different methods of applying preservatives.

4. Analyze the steps in the pressure process of timber preservatives.

DEFINITION OF TIMBER PRESERVATION
• All measures taken to prolong the
serviceable life of a timber.
• The preservatives applied increases
the DURABILITY and RESISTANCE
from being attacked by insects of
fungi.
• The illustration on the right shows a
timber species that has been exposed
to underground conditions and the
relative effect on its structure.
• This explains its durability and level
of resistance to insects and fungi.
PRESERVATIVE
CHEMICALS
1. PENTACHLOROPHENOL
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is an industrial wood
preservative used mainly to treat utility poles and
cross arms.
• PCP has been used as a wood preservative since
1936.
• PCP is applied using pressure and high
temperatures in specialized treatment cylinders.
PENTACHLOROPHENOL
• When wood has been treated correctly, exposure
(and therefore risk) to individuals living near
PCP-treated utility poles is expected to be
minimal.
• Wood treated with PCP may be installed in a
variety of outdoor settings, but it is not approved
to treat wood for residential use.
2. CREOSOTE
• It is a oil based preservative.
• Creosote is derived from the distillation of tar from
wood or coal and is used as a wood preservative.
• Pesticide products containing creosote as the active
ingredient are used to protect wood against termites,
fungi, mites and other pests that can degrade or
threaten the integrity of wood products. These
treated wood products are used in outdoor settings
such as in railroad ties and utility poles. 
CREOSOTE
• Creosote has been used as a wood preservative
since the mid-1800s.
• Creosote is applied using high-pressure
equipment in wood-preserving facilities .
• Creosote is not approved to treat wood for
residential use, including landscaping timbers or
garden borders.
3. COPPER CHROME ARSENIC
•Copper chrome arsenic (CCA) is a water-
borne solution of up to 25% copper, up
to 45% chrome and up to 37% arsenic.
COPPER CHROME ARSENIC
•Constituents of CCA
•Copper is a fungicide
•Arsenic prevents insect attacks
•Chromium binds the other two
elements to the timber.
COPPER CHROME ARSENIC
• When used as a preservative CCA makes up
about 1% of the timber volume. If treated
timber is burnt, however, the smoke and ash
contains high concentrations of arsenic.
METHODS OF APPLYING PRESERVATIVES
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Pressure Process of timber treatment
• The most effective method of timber preservation as the process allows for
maximum penetration through controlled measures.
1. FIRST VACUUM
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Pressure Process of timber treatment
• The most effective method of timber preservation as the process allows for
maximum penetration through controlled measures.
2. FILL PRESERVATIVE
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Pressure Process of timber treatment
• The most effective method of timber preservation as the process allows for
maximum penetration through controlled measures.
3. APPLY PRESSURE
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Pressure Process of timber treatment
• The most effective method of timber preservation as the process allows for
maximum penetration through controlled measures.
4. RELEASE PRESERVATIVE & FINAL VACUUM
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Pressure Process of timber treatment
• The most effective method of timber preservation as the process allows for
maximum penetration through controlled measures.
5. TIMBER IS LEFT TO DRY (Seasoned)
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Immersion Treatment
• Timber are immersed into water borne preservatives on a duration of 10
minutes. Penetration of preservatives is determine by the duration in the
preservative bath.
• Diffusion process
• Green wood is slowly impregnated by a water borne preservative applied
through long soaking
• Brushing and Spraying
• The least effective method of applying preservative.
• It is only effective when they are periodically renewed as a maintenance
procedure.
METHODS OF TIMBER TREATMENT
• Hot and Cold bath process (Thermal
process)
• With the thermal process or hot-and-
cold bath, the same equipment is used,
but the preservative is heated with the
post in the tank (taking precautions
against fire if it is oil-based).
• As the fencepost heats up, air in the
wood expands and bubbles out,
escaping through the preservative
liquid into the atmosphere.
• The preservative is heated until no
more air escapes from the post, and
then the whole tank and submerged
post is allowed to cool down.
REFERENCES
• http://
www.epa.nsw.gov.au/chemicals/tt-copper-chrome-arsenate.htm
• www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/pentachloropheno
l
• www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/creosote
 THANK YOU!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYb_SOreC74