The effect of particle board industry waste tar on the physical and biological durability of wood

Abstract

The effect of waste tar from particle board factories was investigated relative to some physical and biological resistance properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and beech (Fagus orientalis) woods. Solutions were prepared by dissolving waste tar in ethanol:toluene (1v:1v) in concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. These solutions were forced deep into the Scots pine and beech woods under vacuum and pressure (deep treatment, DT). In addition, surface coating (SC) was applied by spreading 96% waste tar on the wood surfaces after treatment. Deep-treated and surface-coated (DT+SC) wood samples were exposed to the wood-decay fungi Trametes versicolor L. and Neolentinus lepideus Fr. for 12 weeks. At the same time, sample blocks were tested against wood-destroying house borer (Hylotrupes bajulus) larvae for 16 weeks. Total phenolic content, water uptake, water-repellent efficiency, and surface contact angle were tested. Although a mean mass loss resulting from T. versicolor of 31.1% was seen in the Scots pine control samples, only 3.87% mass loss was found with a concentration of 20% (DT + SC). The H. bajulus larvae mortality rate was 80% in the Scots pine wood samples deep-treated with 20% waste tar.