Chemical treatment of timber, a novel method

Abstract

Dwindling resources of quality timber made manufacturers to look for alternatives. Species such as Rubber -"Hevea brasiliensis" were found to be good alternatives once treated against "Borer" attack. While expensive "Vacuum-Pressure Impregnation" provides total impregnation, cheaper methods such as "Dip" or "Spray" provides only a superficial treatment which may be removed during steps involved in furniture manufacture and similar processes. Analysis of "Mechanism of Impregnation in Vacuum-Pressure Process" indicate several short comings in the common explanation available. A new hypothesis suggested was verified with experimentation. Based on this explanation a "Novel Method", which uses simple equipment, yet ensuring total and perfect impregnation, though at a slightly lower rate, was developed. In this process the timber, immediately after sawing, is stacked in a tank (or a pit) to which the chemical solution pumped to completely submerge the timber. After the lapse of a specified period of time solution is pumped to a similar tank located adjoining (or close by) which too has a similar load of timber. While one tank is tilled with chemical solution air is blown through the timber stacks of the dry tank. A spray of steam, if available, will be advantageous. While laboratory tests have proved the efficiency of the process field tests have proved the consistency of the process and durability of treated items. Cost analysis shows that the novel process is a very economical alternative, particularly attractive to Medium and Small Scale Industries.