Fixation, leachability, and decay resistance of wood treated with some commercial extracts and wood preservative salts

Beech (Fagus orientalis) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) wood blocks were treated with some commercial extracts as well as water-based wood preservative salts at various concentrations to increase retention and fixation. The penetration, fixation, and antifungal properties of different treatment solutions were compared with statistical analysis. Retention levels of solutions were generally higher for Scots pine wood than beech wood. The highest retention levels were seen in wood treated with sumac leaf extract and oak valonia extract. Leaching tests indicated that both wood types treated with sumac extracts showed higher retention levels than wood treated with the other fruit and bark extract solutions. Adding 1% water-based wood preservative salts to valonia and sumac leaf extracts increased the retention levels. Concentrations of more than 1% did not contribute to retention either individually or with salt additions. Three percent and higher concentrations of wood-preserving salts accelerated and increased the amount of leaching. The results showed that the extract alone was resistant to leaching. Mycological tests showed that all extractives were significantly effective against wood decay.