Abstract: Wood-based composites, compositions for use in wood-based composites, and associated systems and methods are provided herein. Certain compositions include a mixture of alpha olefins and esters and demonstrate unique water repellant properties. The compositions may be incorporated in wood-based composites in place of traditional petroleum-based slack waxes.

Abstract: A composite wood product in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes a composite substrate and a sealant disposed within a surface portion of the substrate. The substrate includes wood and a binder. The sealant includes photoresponsive molecules present within the surface portion of the substrate at an average concentration greater than 1000 parts per million. In response to a 120-day exposure at 7 inches separation distance to a UV lamp with a UVA (315-400 nm) output of 13.6 W and a UVB (280-315 nm) output of 3.0 W, a CIELab b* value of the substrate decreases by a first amount, a CIELab b* value of the sealant increases by a second amount, and a CIELab b* value of the overall wood product decreases by an amount less than the first amount, increases by an amount less than the second amount, or is unchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry. Specifically, the wood products formed using the adhesive demonstrate (1) a light appearance when wet; (2) relatively low moisture content after soaking in water; (3) relatively little thickness swelling after soaking in water; and (4) minimal adhesion to metal press platens during press-forming of the wood products.

Abstract: A building product having improved fire resistance by virtue of solid fire-resistant cladding material attached to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the building product. The solid fire-resistant cladding material includes wood fiber and binder. The building product can be a wood-based building product, and can be in the form of an I-joist. When an I-joist is used, the solid fire-resistant cladding material can be attached to, for example, the web of the I-joist.

Abstract: A moisture content indicator for visually indicating the moisture content of a wood substrate and methods of making the moisture content indicator are provided.

Abstract: A building product having improved fire resistance by virtue of solid fire-resistant cladding material attached to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the building product. The solid fire-resistant cladding material includes wood fiber and binder. The building product can be a wood-based building product, and can be in the form of an I-joist. When an I-joist is used, the solid fire-resistant cladding material can be attached to, for example, the web of the I-joist.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry. Specifically, the wood products formed using the adhesive demonstrate (1) a light appearance when wet; (2) relatively low moisture content after soaking in water; (3) relatively little thickness swelling after soaking in water; and (4) minimal adhesion to metal press platens during press-forming of the wood products.

Abstract: A composite wood product in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes a composite substrate and a sealant disposed within a surface portion of the substrate. The substrate includes wood and a binder. The sealant includes photoresponsive molecules present within the surface portion of the substrate at an average concentration greater than 1000 parts per million. In response to a 120-day exposure at 7 inches separation distance to a UV lamp with a UVA (315-400 nm) output of 13.6 W and a UVB (280-315 nm) output of 3.0 W, a CIELab b* value of the substrate decreases by a first amount, a CIELab b* value of the sealant increases by a second amount, and a CIELab b* value of the overall wood product decreases by an amount less than the first amount, increases by an amount less than the second amount, or is unchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. In some embodiments, an adhesive emulsion includes a continuous phase having an aqueous, alkaline solution that includes a melamine/urea/formaldehyde (“MUF”) resin, and a dispersed phase that includes a multifunctional aromatic isocyanate component. The solution including the MUF resin has a percent solids content of about 1.0% to about 90.0%, and the MUF resin and the multifunctional aromatic isocyanate component are present in a ratio of about 92:8 to about 40:60 on a solids mass basis. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry. Specifically, the wood products formed using the adhesive demonstrate (1) a light appearance when wet; (2) relatively low moisture content after soaking in water; (3) relatively little thickness swelling after soaking in water; and (4) minimal adhesion to metal press platens during press-forming of the wood products.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides colored compositions formulated to provide water repellency and crocking resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a colored pigment, a wax emulsion, a latex polymer, and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides formulations that provide fire resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include an isocyanate, a brominated compound that is reactive with the isocyanate to form a polyurethane, an intumescent component, and a fire-retardant synergist. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides colored compositions formulated to provide water repellency and crocking resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a colored pigment, a wax emulsion, a latex polymer, and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions formulated to provide water resistance and fire resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a latex binder and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: A fire-resistant coating for a wood product which includes a polyurethane matrix. The polyurethane matrix includes an aromatic isocyanate which is present in a quantity ranging from 20% to 50% by weight of the formulation, castor oil which is present in a quantity ranging from 10% to 60% by weight of the formulation, intumescent particles, and a fire retardant present in a quantity ranging from 1% to 40% by weight of the formulation. The fire retardant is selected from the group consisting of disodium ocataborate tetrahydrate, Colemanite (CaB3O4(OH)3.H2O), Ulexite (NaCaB5O6(OH)6.5(H2O)), Aluminum trihydrate, Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), Hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2.4H2O), and Hunitite (Mg3Ca(CO3)4). Fire-resistant wood products incorporating the fire-resistant coating are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions formulated to improve water resistance when topically applied as a treatment to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). Wood products treated with the compositions, as well as methods for applying the compositions to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions formulated to provide water resistant and low flame spread properties when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface are also provided.

Abstract: A moisture content indicator for visually indicating the moisture content of a wood substrate and methods of making the moisture content indicator are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a wood composite made from cellulosic particles, a binder, and a water-repelling agent. In some embodiments, the water repelling agent includes aliphatic compounds having a molecular distribution between about 16 and about 36 carbon atoms per molecule. In some embodiments, the water-repelling agent has an average molecular weight of about 220 to about 350 Daltons (solids portion). The water-repelling agent may be applied as a wax emulsion or in neat wax form. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a wood composite as described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a wood composite made from cellulosic particles, a binder, and a water-repelling agent. In some embodiments, the water repelling agent includes aliphatic compounds having a molecular distribution between about 16 and about 36 carbon atoms per molecule. In some embodiments, the water-repelling agent has an average molecular weight of about 220 to about 350 Daltons (solids portion). The water-repelling agent may be applied as a wax emulsion or in neat wax form. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a wood composite as described above.