Timber preservation

A range of different chemical treatments has been developed to enhance the durability and service life of timber. Such chemical treatments
impregnate

the

wood

cells,

making

them

resistant

to

decay,

insects,

weather

or

fire.

While chemical treatments add to the cost of the timber, they can significantly increase its lifetime. When used in environments in which there
are known biological hazards, it is cost-effective to specify treated timber and expect a longer service life or a lower cost maintenance schedule.
Remember though that treatment of timber is not a fail safe solution that will prevent any biological degradation. Rather it inhibits the
degradation when the timber is used in a normal environment. In abnormal environments (such as cooling towers and some horticultural
applications

where

the

timber

is

almost

continually

wet)

specialist

advice

on

detailing

for

durability

should

be

sought.

The preservative treatment of timber or timber products involves the introduction of stable chemicals into the cellular structure of timber that
protect the timber from hazards such as wood destroying organisms like fungi and insects. Preservative treatments may also include the
introduction

of

chemicals

that

inhibit

fire.

design

guide

on

timber

service

life

is

available

for

download

below.

Preservative treatment against decay and insect attack

To determine whether the use of preservative treated timber is required, consider the following issues:

The

presence

of

hazard

moisture,

insect,

decay,

fire

etc.

The degree of structural reliability required - degree of load sharing, cost of failure and risk of injury or death if failure occurs

Expected

service

Natural

life

of

durability

the

of

structure

the

Presence

timber

of

sapwood

Type of design of the building or component

Preservative treatment of timber is primarily concerned with protection of the sapwood. It is not possible to effectively treat heartwood in most
species, as heartwood cells contain resins and other extractives which prevent the uptake of preservative solutions. The wide sapwood bands
of the major plantation softwoods (radiata, slash, hoop pine) can be effectively treated with preservatives.

Preservative treatment level is specified using the same hazard level scale used to indicate hazard level.

Treatment

Level

H1

suitable

for

use

in

H1

Hazard

environments

protected

indoors

no

termite

risk

Treatment Level H2 - suitable for use in H2 Hazard environments - protected with termite risk (eg underfloor timbers)
Treatment Level H3 - suitable for use in H3 Hazard environments - external above ground (eg fascias, pergolas, verandahs)
Treatment Level H4 - suitable for use in H4 Hazard environments - ground contact, generally dry (eg posts in normal conditions)
Treatment Level H5 - suitable for use in H5 Hazard environments - ground contact, aggressive (eg posts in high water table areas, bridge
piles)

Treatment

Level

H6

suitable

for

use

in

H6

Hazard

environments

sea

water

contact

(eg

jetty

timbers)

A suite of standards made specifically for the timber treatment industry gives chemical retention rates and depth of penetration in order to
satisfy

requirements

for

the

relevant

level

of

treatment.

Different processes of forcing the chemical into the wood give slightly different depth of penetration, but in general, the depth of penetration of
the chemical may not change much with increasing levels of treatment using the same process. Increasing H levels have a requirement for
increasing

chemical

retention

rates

(gms

of

chemical

bonded

to

one

kg

of

wood).

H1 treatment levels can be achieved with all methods. Higher levels of treatment are commonly achieved in practice using CCA treatment or
LOSP application, and with higher salt concentration in the timber. Rarely does a higher level of treatment indicate that the treatment has
penetrated

further

into

the

heartwood.

Common preservative treatments

The common preservatives can be sorted by solvent (the vehicle that carries preservatives into the timber), and by the active chemicals that
provide the protection against hazards. Many preservatives treatments are applied by a process that drives the preservative and solvent into

the

timber

under

pressure.

The

solvent

must

then

be

removed

before

the

timber

is

made

available

for

use.

Boron salts- Boron provides effective protection against attack by insect borers. It has been used in Australia for more than 40 years to protect
the

sapwood

of

susceptible

hardwoods

against

lyctid

or

powder

post'

borers.

The treatment consists of soaking freshly sawn unseasoned timber in solutions of boron salts. The salts diffuse through the timber and after
treatment, the timber is allowed to dry. Boron treatments are common in timber where an appearance grading is required. It is also easy to
apply even by painting on, and doesn't change the colour or appearance of the wood. However, Boron is not fixed in the timber and can be
leached. This restricts boron treated timber to interior uses such as flooring or joinery that is protected from the weather both in service and
during

construction.

CCA - (Copper, Chromium and Arsenic salts) impregnates the timber with water and salts. CCA is pressure impregnated and designed to react
with the wood cell components so that the active elements, copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) are fixed into the wood's structure.
The arsenic component protects the sapwood from insect attack, the copper and arsenic from fungal degrade, while the chromium component
chemically locks the elements into the timber, offering high resistance to leaching. Because the treatment is resistant to leaching, it can be used
on

timber

that

will

be

exposed

to

the

elements

or

used

in-ground.

It generally penetrates sapwood and a small region of heartwood near the surface of the timber (deeper near the end-grain). However, most of
the heartwood remains unprotected though surrounded by a thin case of CCA-treated timber. Generally, a species with appropriately durable
heartwood should be chosen for each application. Where a decay-susceptible heartwood is used, then care should be taken to paint on some
treatment (typically copper napthanate) to regions in which the protective CCA "case" has been breached by sawing or drilling. CCA treatment
inhibits fungal and termite attack, but has no effect on weathering in sunlight. Some sealant should be applied if weathering of the timber is
seen as a potential problem.

There are a number of different formulations of CCA commonly used by the Australian timber industry. Each has different production
requirements, but all of them have equivalent performance for a given H classification. The treatment is free of odour and so is suitable for use
in enclosed spaces or for indoor applications; however, the treated timber has a green appearance, which may detract from its appearance in
some applications. The treated product has minimal release of volatile components and as the salts are "fixed" in the timber, they are safe to
handle

or

work.

After treatment, the timber commonly has a moisture content that would class it as unseasoned. In order to give the treated timber dimensional
stability, it must be re-dried. This process can decrease its strength a little, and invariably adds a little to the cost of the timber.
LOSP - (Light Organic Solvent-borne Preservative) uses a light organic solvent to take the preservative chemicals into the timber. It is drawn
out in the last stages of treatment, leaving the preservative behind. These preservatives are mainly regarded as fungicides, with copper, tin,
zinc,

PCP's

as

major

toxicants.

Synthetic

pyrethroids

may

be

incorporated

if

an

insect

hazard

is

also

present.

LOSP treated timber is unchanged in appearance. This makes it an appropriate treatment for appearance or quality applications, such as
external joinery, e.g. windows, and for treating house framing. The treated timber does not swell with the treatment, so it is quite suitable for

treatment

of

finished

items

such

as

mouldings

and

joinery.

Most LOSP contain fungicide, insecticide and wax to give the surface water repellent properties. LOSP-treated timber is suitable for painting
with either acrylic or oil-based systems, and is most effective as a treatment when sealed. LOSP-treated timber is not suitable for in-ground
use.
LOSP treatments are mainly factory applied using a pressure and vacuum system, but solutions are available for painting as part of a
maintenance program. The moisture content of the timber is unchanged. Different formulations of LOSP are available. If a wax is included, the
organic compounds can make the timber water repellent, which improves its durability, but can make it difficult for use with most common glues.
ACQ - (Alkaline Copper Quat) contains copper and a quaternary ammonium compound. It protects against decay fungi and insects. There are a
number of different forms, and generally the form which is most suitable will be selected for any given species. Its colour can range from dark
green to a brownish green, and it is applied using a pressure process as a water-borne preservative. It is free of arsenic and can be used to
give

up

to

an

H4

treatment.

It

can

be

painted

or

stained

when

dry.

Copper Azole is one of a new generation of arsenic free preservative treatments that can be used in water-borne pressure treatment processes.
It is a preservative that contains copper, boric acid and tebuconazole. It seems to be an appropriate treatment for radiata pine, and has been
used in Australia already as a replacement for CCA for treatments up to H4. It is odourless and can be stained or painted when finished.
Synthetic pyrethrins, e.g. 'blue pine', a range of synthetic pyrethrins and pyrethroids (e.g. bifenthrin, permethrin) has been developed for use in
treating timber. They are commonly dissolved in water or oil such as linseed oil and are applied by spraying or dipping to cover the timber in the
preservative. Used primarily in framing timber South of the Tropic of Capricorn. Some proprietary products are available that are in a paint-on or
spray-on formulation. Currently treatment to H3 level has been trialled. Many of these are similar chemicals to the ones used in flea collars for
dogs and cats or for fly sprays, so already have community acceptance.
Creosote and PEC (pigment emulsified creosote) Creosote and PEC are commonly used oil-borne preservatives and are painted onto timber
surfaces, but can also be applied in a pressure-based process for better penetration. They have volatile components and, hence, a
characteristic

odour.

This

makes

them

only

suitable

for

use

in

external

or

industrial

applications.

PEC is made by emulsifying high temperature creosote (HTC) with 30% water and additives, including a special micronised pigment. The
function of the pigment is to lock the major HTC components into the timber so that they do not bleed into the surface, particularly in hot
weather. The pigment also ensures that the volatile lower boiling point fractions of HTC remain in the wood. PEC is thus a clean version of HTC
in

which

treated

commodities

are

safe

and

easy

to

handle.

Creosote is typically used on railway sleepers, timber bridge components, power poles, marine structures and decking, and piles. It is frequently
used in conjunction with CCA treatment to give a durable case to timber. Because it can be painted on, it is suitable for use in maintenance
programs.
Pressure treatment process
Most common treatment processes are pressure treatments. The following points outline the basic steps involved in pressure treatment
processes:
Wood is placed in a pressure vessel for treatment. The vessel is designed to be able to give a positive pressure and a negative pressure
(suction).
The first step is generally a suction step and it literally sucks moisture out of the wood in the vessel. This takes some time to happen. (The
suction

also

opens

up

pores

in

the

wood

that

make

it

easier

for

the

chemicals

to

be

forced

into

the

wood.)

A mixture of treatment chemicals and a solvent that will carry them into the wood is added to the vessel. The vessel is placed under pressure
and the chemicals and solvent are forced into the wood. Pressure can be varied during this time to get as much penetration as needed.
The pressure is released, the chemicals are removed from the vessel, and can be used in the next treatment cycle. Once the chamber is
drained,

the

wood

is

removed.

The wood is left to stand on a hard pad and any chemicals and solvent that drains from the pack are trapped and used again. Once the packs
have

drained,

then

the

charge

is

sent

for

redrying.

The wood has a very high moisture content at the completion of the treatment, so the solvent must be removed in the same way that water

was removed from newly milled green timber. The first steps are air-drying to bring the moisture content down to around the fibre saturation
point. This product can then be sold as unseasoned timber, or further drying can be undertaken to produce a redried, seasoned product. Where
redrying uses kilns, it has been found that lower temperatures must be used to prevent degrade of mechanical properties.
Improving timbers natural chemical resistance
Timbers

natural

chemical

resistance

Phenolic
Furfuryl
Monomeric

can

be

resins
alcohol

resins

followed

enhanced

further

(improves
(increases

by

polymerisation

by

impregnating

acid
alkaline

(greatly

improves

with:

resistance)
resistance)
chemical

resistance)

Protection for marine piles or timber in contact with sea water

In addition to using species that have natural durability in these environments, timber can be treated to increase the service life of marine
structures.

Appropriate

strategies

may

include:

Impregnating timbers with chemical preservatives. Species with wide sapwood bands can be effectively treated to provide resistance to
marine borers. CCA is effective against limnoria while creosote type preservatives are effective against teredo. Often both CCA and creosote
are

used

Using

to

give

chemical

and/or

H6

protection.

mechanical

barriers

Environmental impact of chemicals used in treatment

Preservative chemical manufacturers and wood treaters must adhere strictly to the established guidelines and codes of practice, and the
treatments must be applied and handled correctly by the user to comply with Occupational Safety and Health legislation. The following specific
comments

have

been

drawn

from

recent

work

on

the

impact

of

chemically

treated

timber

on

the

environment.

CCA (copper chrome arsenate) Most CCA-treated timber is produced by a process that accelerates the fixation mechanism and which leaves
the timber surfaces clean and relatively dry. Hence, the potential for leaching of elements is reduced and the impact on the environment when
the timber goes into service is minimised. Some published work has suggested that the concentrations of metal ions leaching from waterborne
treated timber is low and similar to background soil levels. The new generation of water repellent CCAs are even less likely to be leached than
the conventional, unmodified CCAs. As more and more of these modified CCA formulations are used the leaching debate will become less
relevant.
However, other work has generated concern over the use of CCA in timber (particularly in the USA). There are still doubts about some of this
research internationally, and it is fair to say that these concerns are not yet proved or resolved. At present, many countries (including Australia)
are taking a conservative view and suggesting that CCA treated timber not be used where it comes into direct contact with children or food specifically

play

equipment

and

picnic

tables.

Creosote/PECs (pigment emulsified creosote) are oil-borne substances and are commonly used externally as power poles or bridge piers.
Creosote is a very complex product containing 300 or more components and its effectiveness is a result of the combination of these
components. The function of the pigment is to lock the major HTC (high temperature creosote) components into the timber so that they do not
bleed into the surface, particularly in hot weather. The pigment also ensures that the volatile lower boiling point fractions of HTC remain in the
wood. PEC is thus, a clean version of HTC in which treated commodities are safe and easy to handle. The use of barrier creams by workers
can reduce the potential for skin irritation when handling creosote, and there is little evidence that these substances pose a risk to the
environment. In fact, mobile fractions, which may migrate downwards in timber structures in service are readily degraded by soil microorganisms.
LOSP (light organic solvent preservative). Any potential environmental impact of LOSP is mainly restricted to the treatment plant site, since the
active ingredients in LOSP are carried into the timber by a hydrocarbon solvent; in Australia this is white spirit. Worker exposure to white spirit
and escape of solvents into the atmosphere are the major concern from the environmental and worker health and safety point of view. The
volatile organic compound emissions from LOSP plants to the environment are strictly controlled. Modern treatment plants are designed to
minimise escape of, and operator exposure to fluids, mists, and vapours. In addition, much of the solvent is recovered at the plant during the
closed-in part of the post-treatment cycle. Although small amounts of solvent may remain in the timber when it leaves the treatment yard, the
volumes of LOSP-treated timber delivered to building sites does not present a solvent vapour hazard. Current LOSP formulations contain

biocides that are relatively environmentally acceptable. The preservative chemicals used can be updated readily to comply with contemporary
requirements.
Recycling and disposal of treated timber
The potential problem of dealing with treated timber at the end of its service life and the handling of off-cuts on a building site can be effectively
tackled through appropriate recycling and disposal methods. It has proved possible to reuse these products by reducing them to particles or
flakes for the manufacture of composite panel materials. Other alternatives being explored include encouraging the suppliers of treated timber
to recover off-cuts for the purpose of recycling, which also avoids the possibility of mixing treated timber residues with other building wastes
during site clean up, and simplifies subsequent disposal.
Disposal by industrial burning (approved incineration), is viewed as an acceptable option, particularly if there is some energy captured in the
process. It is a particularly effective method using high temperatures, i.e. 800 1100 C, for the recovery of the metals from the ashes of CCAtreated residues. Recent laboratory studies have also explored the possibility of extracting preservatives from spent treated timber through the
process of biodegradation. It is known that some micro-organisms can remove or release heavy metals from wood wastes. There have been
some encouraging results using both fungi and bacteria to release Cu, Cr, and As from treated wood samples. The resulting wood wastes,
which

are

relatively

free

from

heavy

metals,

can

then

be

safely

disposed

of

by

incineration

or

composting.

These and other disposal methods are currently under research and development, but are starting to find commercial application in Australasia,
Europe and North America.