Abstract: Lumber, which is substantially warp-free and check-free and has a reduced susceptibility to decay and insect damage, particularly red alder, beech, birch, cottonwood, maple, oak, aspen and hemlock, is produced by felling the tree, preferably when in substantially full leaf; long butting the tree trunk; sealing the butt end surface to deter decay and attack by insects, and reducing the sap content by allowing the unlimbed tree to age for a minimum of six weeks; sawing the tree into lumber; purging additional sap from the lumber by soaking it with high-pressure water sprays periodically for a minimum of three days; and drying the lumber. Mold and other deterioration is deterred in wood chips which are to be stored by soaking, pressing and washing them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnating low density fiberboard with asphalt is disclosed, and which includes stacking the sheets, placing the stacks in a sealable chamber, and flooding the chamber with a treating solution composed of a mixture of asphalt and solvent. The chamber is thereafter drained, and the fiberboard is then heated by the injection of live steam into the chamber. A partial vacuum is then drawn in the chamber, while condensing and separating the withdrawn solvent and water vapors. Both the condensed solvent and water of the steam injection system are maintained in closed conduit systems to permit their reuse and to prevent contamination of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in the preservative treatment and/or drying or coloring of wood. The apparatus consists of an enclosed vessel which is divided into two chambers by an intermediate wall portion. Wood to be treated is placed in one chamber in a treatment liquid, with the liquid passing into the second chamber by passing over said intermediate wall portion.

Abstract: An increased water repellency is imparted to wood and other cellulosic materials with an aqueous solution containing a mixture of an aluminum halohydrate and a water soluble salt of a mono, di or trivalent cation selected from zinc, manganese, barium, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, nickel, copper, cadmium, strontium, beryllium, lead, mercury, chromium, sodium, lithium, and potassium and a monovalent anion selected from formate acetate, haloacetate, acrylate, methacrylate, propionate, chloro and bromo-propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, nitrate, sulfamate, iodide, bromide, and chloride, said water soluble salt excluding the nitrates, sulfamates, chlorides and bromides of sodium, potassium and lithium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preserving wood, in particular hardwoods, against attack by living organisms, e.g. fungi and insects, which destroy wood. In particular, the present invention provides a one or two step process for preserving wood against fungal and/or insect attack. The fungicide treatment step comprises introducing a copper solution or a copper solution into wood. The insecticide treatment step comprises introducing a chromium and arsenic solution into wood. If the pH of the wood system is controlled, both steps may be carried out simultaneously so as to preserve the wood against fungal and insect attack. Alternatively, the insecticide treatment step may follow the fungicide treatment. Where only protection against fungus is desired, the process comprises introducing copper and arsenic solution into wood. On the other hand, if only an insecticide treatment is required, the process comprises only the abovementioned insecticide treatment step.

Abstract: An aqueous copper chromate concentrate substantially free of sulfate anions is provided which can be diluted for use as a wood preservative. The concentrate is formed of a hexavalent chromium compound, a bivalent copper compound, and an acid selected from nitric, sulfamic, fluosilicic, fluoboric and mixtures wherein the total oxide content of CuO and CrO.sub.3 is from 25 to 60%.

Abstract: The amount of vapor of a halogenated phenol released by wood treated with the halogenated phenol is reduced by contacting the treated wood with an organic compound having cationic groups capable of forming a water-insoluble halogenated phenoxide salt. For example, contacting pentachlorophenol treated wood with a quaternary ammonium such as didecyldimethylammonium chloride significantly reduces the release of pentachlorophenol vapors from the wood.

Abstract: Method and composition for simultaneously coloring and preserving wood by a single application of a contacting solution comprising any one of several known water soluble chemical preservatives containing any or all of the following heavy metals: copper, chromium and zinc, to which preservative solution has been added one or more specific naphthalene or benzene derivative compounds having hydroxy, amino or sulfonic acid functional groups attached to a ring carbon atom. Without departing from the teachings of this invention the wood may first be treated with the preservative solution and then contacted with the benzene or naphthalene derivative compound. It is also possible to apply the benzene or naphthalene derivative to the wood initially, followed by the application of the preservative solution.

Abstract: A method is provided which permanently embeds a fire retardant such as diammonium phsophate into wood shingles, wood framing members or other wood members by means of blasting a special slurry of the fire retardant into the body of the wood with an airless spray gun, or alternatively soaking or dipping the wood in a softening solution and then emersing it in the fire retardant slurry which is subsequently pressurized to over 100 pounds per square inch, in either case the diammonium phosphate granules being embedded into the wood where they are protected from being leached at by rainfall and the like by a nonsoluable, nonvolatile carrier liquid.

Abstract: Impregnated wood containing a polymer which is produced in the wood from the polymerization of a monomer and/or prepolymer having aliphatic multiple bonds and crosslinked organopolysiloxanes.The polymer impregnated wood is prepared by impregnating the wood with a mixture containing a monomer and/or prepolymer containing aliphatic multiple bonds which is capable of free radical polymerization and a crosslinkable organopolysiloxane and thereafter the monomer and/or prepolymer is polymerized and the organopolysiloxane is crosslinked in the wood.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of wood is disclosed in which water-borne wood treatment materials, such as CCA salts, are forced into the wood under pressure and the water-borne wood treatment materials are held within the wood under pressure until they are deposited as by precipitation or chemical affixation. The precipitation or chemical affixation step is conducted at elevated temperatures. The elevated temperatures may be established by heating the wood treatment materials while they are in contact with the wood, by draining the wood treatment materials from external contact with the wood, while maintaining a sufficient pressure to prevent kickback and heating the wood as by steaming or by submerging the wood in a heated aqueous bath. If a heated aqueous bath is used it may advantageously contain additional wood treatment materials such as wood-softening agents, antichecking agents, filmformers, coloring agents, dimensional stabilizers, flame-retardants, antistatic agents and the like.

Abstract: Fungicidal compositions comprising at least one organometallic compound of aluminum and/or boron, at least one divalent metal and at least one carboxylic acid group. The compositions are useful in preserving timber.

Abstract: A process for flameproofing wood is claimed, which comprises treating the wood with aqueous preparations which contain(a) at least one water-soluble ammonium salt of a non-volatile inorganic acid, e.g. ammonium sulfate or ammonium phosphate,(b) at least one water-soluble cationic reaction product of dicyandiamide, formaldehyde, optionally an ammonium salt and/or an alkylenepolyamine containing at most 18 carbon atoms, or the acid salt thereof.Components (a) and (b) are applied in succession or preferably simultaneously and the wood is subsequently dried. The flameproof finish obtained is resistant to rinsing. The wood provided with the flameproof finish is used in particular as mine timber.

Abstract: A method of absorbing resin into part of a panel of particleboard to provide local strength increases in that part. The method comprises subjecting the part to an electric field, immersing the panel in the resin; and then resubjecting the panel to the electric field to cure the resin. A particleboard panel is also disclosed. The panel has a main body with a specific gravity in the range 0.2 to 0.5 but at least one area on its periphery has a specific gravity in the range 0.7 to 1.0. The one area is impregnated with a synthetic resin. The panel is particularly useful in door production as it is strong but cheap.

Abstract: A composition for impregnating wood with pentachlorophenol is prepared by dissolving pentachlorophenol in a petroleum fraction at least 50% of which will distill above 485.degree. F., and mixing the resulting solution with water to produce a finely divided dispersion of the solution in water.

Abstract: Storage stable coating compositions consist essentially of, on a film-forming solids basis, from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of an alkali metal or quaternary ammonium silicate and from about 60 percent to about 85 percent of a latex. The compositions are storage stable and are especially useful for the filling of low grade wood products.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of protecting organic or inorganic material from attack by microorganisms, which comprises incorporating in or applying to the surface of the material to be protected 3,5-dibromo-4-chlorophenol, 3,5-dibromo-4-fluorophenol or 3,5-dichloro-4-bromophenol or a mixture thereof. Compositions for carrying out the method of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to water soluble wood treating compositions and methods for preservation of wood or products made from wood. In the general practice of this invention, wooden objects are treated with water soluble wood treating and preserving solutions consisting of blends of (A) from 0.1% to about 50% by weight of a chlorophenol selected from a group consisting of pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol and mixtures thereof (B) from about 2% to about 98% by weight aliphatic alcohols selected from the group consisting of n-butyl alcohol, secondary butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol and mixtures thereof (C) from about 0.56% to about 45% of an amine selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, triethyl amine, trimethyl amine, methyl amine and methyldiethanolamine and mixtures thereof and (D) from about 1% to about 97% by weight water.

Abstract: An improved method for the preservation of hardwood by treatment thereof with a preservation solution is disclosed. The wood is treated with a preservative solution which is not readily fixed and is then kept in an undried condition for a period of time sufficient to allow the preservative solution to penetrate the wood and diffuse through the cell walls of the wood without fixation thereof. The wood is then dried so as to fix the preservative. Enhanced periods of preservation effectiveness are thus obtained.

Abstract: A method for treating wood to enhance its properties comprising: contacting the wood to be treated with sufficient water dilutable resin formed from one or more vinyl monomers in a solvent consisting essentially of water to deposit an effective amount of said resin in the cell walls of said wood, said resin containing molecules of a size which can enter the free space in said cell walls in the presence of said solvent and having a minimum film forming temperature not greater than ambient, and converting the resin in said cell walls to a water insoluble form at ambient conditions. The treatment provides wood of improved dimensional stability and resistance to checking on exposure to water. Further improvements in the wood properties can be obtained by depositing additives such as water soluble preservatives or fire retardants in the cell walls of the wood and fixing the additives therein with the insolublized resin.

Abstract: A method for treating wood to enhance its properties comprising: contacting the wood to be treated with sufficient water dilutable resin in a water miscible solvent and water to deposit said resin in the cell walls of the wood fibers, said resin containing molecules of a size which can enter the free space in said cell walls, and converting the resin in said cell walls to a water insoluble form. The treatment provides wood of improved dimensional stability and resistance to checking on exposure to water. Further improvements in the wood properties can be obtained by depositing additives such as preservatives or fire retardants in the cell walls of the wood and fixing the additives therein with the insolubilized resin.

Abstract: The surface of an impregnated wood material having deposits of a water-insoluble treating chemical thereon as a result of the impregnation treatment, is cleaned by forming an ammoniacal liquor in situ on the surface of the wood material, dissolving the surface deposit in the ammoniacal liquor and permitting the dissolved treating chemical to migrate into the wood.

Abstract: Stable chromated copper arsenate Type B wood preserving concentrates comprising a chromium additive, a copper additive and an arsenic additive with a total of from 5 to 45% oxides and sulfamic acid wherein said copper additive is present in an amount greater than will react with said chromium additive and said sulfamic acid is present in an amount that will inhibit the reaction of the excess copper additive with said arsenic additive.

Abstract: Prepolymerized resins are applied to wooden articles to coat them and impart a tough and abrasive resistant surface which protects the articles from deterioration and delamination due to shock, impact and abrasive forces. The resins are applied by contacting the articles with a prepolymerized resin which has been dissolved in a readily vaporizable solvent to form a resin solution, coating the article with the resin solution, vaporizing the solvent from the resin coating and drying the resin coating. The coated articles find particular utility in high shock and impact uses such as hockey stick blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of timber comprises a vessel having at least three chambers arranged in series for passage of the timber therethrough on conveyor belts or the like. There is means for drawing a vacuum in each of the end chambers and means for spraying the timber with a preservative liquid in an intermediate chamber, the vacuums being maintained during passage of the timber through the end chambers, by means of seals which are arranged to close and open automatically as the timber enters and leaves the respective vacuum chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of wood material impregnated with an aqueous ammoniacal solution of water-insoluble treating chemical and having deposits of treating chemical on its surface. The process comprises submerging the impregnated wood material in the ammoniacal solution, separating the wood material from the solution and maintaining it in a moist, ammoniacal atmosphere until the wood surface is substantially free of liquid. In another aspect, this invention relates to a process for producing wood material treated with the ammoniacal solution, where the product has a clean surface.

Abstract: Wood is impregnated with a solution of tannic acid followed by impregnation with a solution of a metal in the form of a salt. The metal selected is one that will complex with both the impregnated tannic acid and the wood.

Abstract: Aqueous wood- and paper-treating solutions are provided of hexavalent chromium and, optionally, copper or copper-arsenic mixtures with aluminum halohydrates in an acid medium which provide increased water repellency.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bamboo rod reinforcement member for concrete comprises roughening a surface of the rod to expose the cortex, dipping the rod in a bath of molten sulfur, and drying the hot-dipped rod to form a substantially continuous coating of crystallized sulfur to prevent moisture absorption and swelling of the rod.

Abstract: A process for treating wood consisting of boiling the wood in a solution containing alkylamine and then transferring the boiled wood to an autoclave where an alkylamine permeating solution is forced into the wood under the conditions of pressure and heat. The wood is then dehydrated under reduced pressure and is then air dried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating timbers, such as railroad ties and the like, which comprises at least one pressure sealed tube or pipe filled with the treating fluid normally utilized for treating timbers, and of a size for receiving the timbers in sequential end-to-end relation for longitudinal movement therethrough. The timbers are initially loaded into the treating pipe through one end thereof from a movable tube containing a single timber therein, with the single timber being ejected from the movable tube into the treating tube by a suitable ram member, such as a hydraulic piston. As timber after timber is introduced into the fluid filled treating pipe, each timber pushes the preceding timber longitudinally through the pipe and the timbers absorb the treating fluid during the longitudinal passage through the filled pipe.

Abstract: Fireproofing of wood and the variety of hardwoods typically utilized in the manufacture of furniture is provided by a process of controlled permeation of a solution composed of a combination of a halide salt of a Group I or Group II metal of the Periodic Table of Elements and an ammonium salt which upon impregnation precipitates in the cellular structure of the treated wood. Controlled permeation of furniture wood to a depth of about 1/8 of an inch to 3 inches is provided by evacuating and expanding the cellular structure of the wood by utilizing a vacuum chamber, or a heat chamber for heating the wood to temperatures of about 220.degree. F. or a combination thereof to activate the surface and a portion of the subsurface of the cellular structure of the wood for absorption and adsorption of the solution of fire retardant compounds providing a controlled impregnation of the furniture hardwood.

Abstract: Various combustible materials such as paper, wood, leather, cloth and textiles of animal or vegetable origin and, especially, cellulosic materials suitable for insulation may be rendered fire retardant by treating the same with an aqueous solution comprising about 10 to 60 per cent of a blend of ammonium nitrate liquor and urea liquor, this blend can be within a range of 44.5% ammonium nitrate, 35.4% urea, and 20.3% water to 39.5% ammonium nitrate, 30.5% urea, and 30% water; about 10 to 50 per cent of an ammoniated poly phosphate having approximately 10 per cent nitrogen and approximately 34 per cent phosphoric acid; about 0 to 25 per cent molasses, starch or sugar or mixtures thereof; and up to about 3 per cent of a strong base such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A wooden part of a structure or structural member, e.g. a telegraph pole, that is exposed to the atmosphere is impregnated with wood preservative by a vacuum impregnation process. The exposed wooden part of the pole is surrounded by a closely fitting, fluid-impermeable covering, e.g. a polythene shroud, and boundary edges of the covering are sealed to form a substantially fluid-tight enclosure. Air and any other fluid is evacuated from voids in the said wooden part of the pole and from within the fluid-tight enclosure and wood preservative in a flowable state is allowed to enter the enclosure and the voids in said wooden part of the pole until said wooden part is fully impregnated with wood preservative.

Abstract: An agent for stabilization of a decorative finish is incorporated in a timber preservative composition comprising a preservative e.g. fungicide, insecticide or fire retardant in an organic solvent e.g. white spirit, chlorinated hydrocarbon such as methylene chloride or a liquified butane or propane for use in a double vacuum treatment of the timber. The agent may be an alkyd resin or colloidal pigment of a defined mean particle size, or both.

Abstract: A reinforcement member for concrete bodies includes a bamboo rod having a roughened surface consisting of the bamboo cortex, and a substantially continuous coating of crystallized sulfur adhering to the roughened surface to prevent moisture absorption and swelling of the bamboo rod. The rod may have a helical wrapping of wire to further prevent swelling. The manufacture of the member includes roughening the rod by removing the bamboo article to expose the cortex, and dipping the rod in a bath of molten sulfur coating.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing an edge region of a plate formed of a porous material by means of a reinforcement agent wherein the plate is immersed in a bath containing a reinforcement agent. Air contained in the plate is withdrawn at least from one plate surface. Both plate surfaces prior to the immersion of the plate in the bath are covered so as to be protected against contact by the reinforcement agent.

Abstract: Marine fungal growth is inhibited and/or eradicated in wood by contacting e wood with obtusastyrene whose formula is: ##STR1##

Abstract: A process for treating wood which process comprises boiling the wood with a solution containing a surface active agent and an alkali, shifting the boiled wood to a pressure boiler, permeating the surface active agent and dilute alkali solution forceably into the wood under the conditions of pressure and heating, dehydrating it by applying reduced pressure to the wood, air drying or kiln drying the wood so treated.

Abstract: Stable cellulosic products containing releasable flavorant are described. These products are produced by impregnating a dry cellulosic substrate with an essentially anhydrous ammonia solution of a volatile flavorant and then subjecting the impregnated substrate to conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to effect evaporation of essentially all of the impregnated solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing baseball bats which have high surface hardness and are hardly broken, and said method comprises the steps of: forming a baseball bat having a diameter somewhat larger than the prescribed dimension; impregnating thermosetting resin into said baseball bat; and treating said impregnated bat with heat and pressure by using a set of molds consisting of three or more of divided mold sections.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogenous stable aqueous dispersion containing an organo-tin biocide and certain ammonium polyphosphate flame retardants which can be diluted and used to treat timber. The compositions further comprise a quaternary ammonium compound having surfactant activity, a derivative of carbamic acid and a hydrotrope which is an organic phosphate ester or an alkaryl sulphonate in order to maintain the active compounds in suspension. The biocidal activity is unaffected by the presence of the polyphosphate species.

Abstract: Wood preservatives for protecting wood or wood-base materials against animal pests, and which contain a perfluoroalkane sulfonate of the formula C.sub. n F.sub.2n+1 --SO.sub.3 M where n is one of the integers from 1-14 and M denotes hydrogen or a cation, and a process for protecting wood or wood-base materials against animal pests with these compounds.

Abstract: A technique is provided for employing an aqueous solution to treat a cellulosic or other substrate with a water-insoluble preservative such as a polychlorophenol and the like. The treatment solution is formed of water, a soluble polychlorophenate, and a suitable acid-former which, after a predetermined delay interval sufficient to allow adequate treatment with the polychlorophenate, progressively effects in in situ precipitation of the insoluble polychlorophenol on the substrate to be protected. The extent of the delay interval, as well as the extent of the precipitation time, may be regulated as a function of temperature, the excess alkalinity of the treatment solution, and the particular acid-former employed.

Abstract: A process of impregnating one or more timber articles, such as timber doors, with a treatment agent in which the articles are placed in a treatment chamber which is then filled with the treatment agent. The treatment agent is then pressurized, preferably by pumping more treatment agent into the chamber, to force the treatment agent into the articles. This pressurizing step is performed quickly, for example, within between 5 and 25 seconds, and the articles are then removed from the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of impregnating wood with boric acid or boron oxide. In particular it relates to a method of introducing boric acid into wood products by application thereto of boric acid esters of alcohols and thereafter hydrolyzing the esters to deposit boric acid within the wood product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for introducing holes or straight or circular slots approximately normal to the surface in the vicinity of the surface of round timber and to an approximately predetermined depth for the purpose of facilitating the penetration of impregnating means into the surface zones of the timber to better protect against chemical and biological attacks.

Abstract: A cellulosic substrate is rendered fire resistant through application thereto of an alcohol deactivated solution of chlorosulfonic acid and digested plant material.

Abstract: An agent for stabilization of a decorative finish is incorporated in a timber preservative composition comprising a preservative e.g., fungicide, insecticide or fire retardant in an organic solvent e.g. white spirit, chlorinated hydrocarbon such as methylene chloride or a liquified butane or propane for use in a double vacuum treatment of the timber. The agent may be an alkyd resin or colloidal pigment of a defined mean particle size, or both.

Abstract: A wood preservative effective against blue stain containing a fatty acid of 6-11 carbon atoms, boric acid and an alkali compound in stoichiometric excess of the fatty acid. The resulting composition is readily soluble in water, and the resulting solution can be applied by spraying onto the wood or be used as a bath into which wood is dipped.