WOOD RESEARCH Volume 61, Number 3, 2016
S. Sadiye Yasar, Muhammed Said Fidan, Mehmet Yasar, Musa Atar, and Elif Alkan

Influences of seasonal alterations on the burning characteristics of impregnated and surface treated chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood

Wood material is generally preferred due to its resilience against earthquakes, aesthetic properties, and its warmth as well as being natural. One of the major problems of employing this natural and breathable product is its ease of combustibility. Despite this adverse characteristic, its high resistance against burning and its ability to maintain its weight bearing characteristics until the very end does not lead to sudden collapses as is seen in steel and concrete systems. Treating wood with impregnating materials in order to improve its resistance against burning is an improved safety measure for the prevention of ignition. This study investigate seasonal effects on the ignition characteristics of chestnut wood samples impregnated using either Tanalith-E or Wolmanit-CB as detailed in ASTM–D 1413–76 and surface-treated using water-based or synthetic varnish as detailed in ASTM-D 3023- 88. The temperature of burning process was the highest in the investigated samples, in those impregnated with Wolmanit-CB and those that were treated with water-based varnish. The results of the study indicated that weight loss was lower during winter (84.59 %), for samples that were impregnated using Wolmanit-CB (84.46 %) and in those that were treated with water-based varnish (84.18 %). On the other hand, the O2 content was determined to be the highest and the CO content the lowest in winter samples that were impregnated using Wolmanit-CB and treated with synthetic varnish.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 63, Number 6, 2018
Selim Sen, M. Said Fidan, Elif Alkan, and S. Sadiye Yasar

Determination of some properties of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood which is impregnated with boron compounds and quechua

As the industrialisation and technological developments increase; the search for functional material which is environment-friendly, non-toxic, flame resistant, with a broad applicability and with high-temperature endurance also increases. Even though the wood material corresponds most of these features, its possession of an organic structure causes it to be affected negatively by damages occurring under proper conditions in the outdoor environment. Due to this reason, this study is conducted to prevent damages (biotic, abiotic pests, fire, etc.) caused by the environment to the wooden material, and to determine some physical and mechanical properties of wooden material impregnated with quechua, borax and boric acid, which are used to extend the usage life. Those features are needed in an outdoor environment. The Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) test specimens are prepared with borax, boric acid, borax+boric acid, from borax compounds, which have a great potential in Turkey, and with quechua, one of the natural impregnation substances. Then these samples are impregnated with three different (1%, 3%, 5%) solution concentrations according to ASTM 1413-76 standards and some physical-mechanical property changes are investigated. After impregnation, samples are tested and compared with control samples. According to the test results; the lowest oven dried density change is obtained in borax as 0.46 g.cm-3 in terms of boron compounds and the retention amount is determined to be highest with 3.83 kg.m-3 in the samples impregnated with boric acid. The bending strength and elastic modulus are found to be highest with 83.53 MPa and 10281 MPa in the samples impregnated with boric acid. When examined at the concentration level, it is determined to be highest with 81.89 MPa in samples with 3% concentration. There are statistical discrepancies with 55.77 MPa in the comprehensive strength parallel to grain in boric acid in terms of boron compounds.