Potentiality of Tall Oil as Preservative for Wood

Abstract

For environmental reasons, both the preservation of traditional wood and the use of resistant wood species are subject to political and consumption restrictions. It is known that the effectiveness of traditional wood preservation systems is due to the biocidal effect of the products used, but, consequently, they pollute the environment. And this has generated the need to develop less aggressive condom treatments for health and the environment with sustainable principles. Thus, the aim of research has been to develop environmentally correct and effective products against the attack of biodeteriorating agents. A viable alternative that contains interesting inhibiting properties is Tall Oil, which is a natural renewable source oil. Tall Oil is an industrially generated by-product in the production of kraft pulp. This by-product is not a pure triglyceride compound, but a mixture of fatty acids, resin acids and unsaponess. The use of Tall Oil and its derivatives as a protective agent in wood has been considered promising. It can be used pure, whether crude or distilled; and even in mixtures with efficient biocides, but leachable as boron. However research is still needed including the characterization of Tall Oil products, the determination of the protective agent and the environmental aspects.