New method for producing ´maintenance free´ and ´wear resistant´ wood materials

Important results from the project

All goals and objectives were reached. The objective of this project was to validate a new method for creating more stable, durable and esthetically appealing wood products at a competitive price. The idea was to protect the wood surface with a liquid solution that hardens after application, such as coatings over the wood surfaces, but in a way that those coatings create a layer of protection below the wood surfaces rather than above. Figuratively speaking, we invented a new process to create wood materials in which the external surfaces have been coated from the inside. Results are very satisfactory. The project demonstrated that it is possible to create a layer of protection under the wood surfaces that can chemically react with the wood or deposit specialized particles such as color pigments, light absorbents, fire retardants, and biocides. The novelty of this technique is that the protective layer is deposited below the wood surfaces where is more protected from the external environment. Preliminary test showed that a waterproof layer under the wood surfaces substantially increases the wood resistance to moisture induced damage. Design and implementation was done according to the plan. The project focused on the development of a process capable of producing an intermediate solution between standard coatings systems and full volume impregnation. The process was implemented by warming-up the wood and subsequently cooling it down in contact with an impregnation solution. The next step is creating new materials and applications. Once these enhanced wood materials are validated in practice, then it will be possible to look for further investment to improve the technology and build the first equipment prototype.