Abstract: Antifreeze, deicing, and freeze control systems comprising aqueous alkaline earth or alkali metal salts of calcium, sodium and magnesium nitrate used separately or in mixtures with other substances currently used for these applications such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, diethylene glycol, and acetates of magnesium, potassium and sodium, are presented.

Abstract: A fire-retardant wood-based composite is formed by treating a green wood furnish with an amount of a phosphate/borate fire retardant treatment effective to increase the fire retardancy of the resulting wood-based composite, compared to the fire retardancy of the corresponding wood-based composite lacking the fire retardant. The fire retardant treated green wood furnish is blended with a binder and then bound, as by pressing the furnish, to form a non-leaching fire-retardant wood based composite. Another aspect of the invention is the product formed according to the preceding process. The fire retardant may also act as a catalyst to cure the binder and thus promote binding. Also, the addition of the fire retardant to green wood chips, without the need to dry them to a low moisture content, is believed to be novel.

Abstract: The specification describes preserved solid wood or wood composites including a copper ammonium acetate complex wood preservative and a drying oil. The wood preservative is present in the wood in an amount effective to improve the resistance of the treated wood to at least one type of decomposition, such as decay or insect attack. The drying oil is present in the wood in an effective amount to accomplish at least one useful end, such as reducing the water absorption or thickness swell of the treated wood or increasing its mechanical strength, even in a wood composite made using less binding resin than usual. Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of making the treated wood from green wood in solid or flaked form. A copper ammonium acetate complex wood preservative and optionally a drying oil are added to the green wood.

Abstract: The invention is a wood composite including wood particles, a binder, at least one wood stabilizer, and optionally other ingredients. Examples of the wood stabilizer are an ammoniacal wood stabilizer or ammoniacal copper dimethyl glyoxime. The wood stabilizer is present in an amount effective to reduce the swelling value of the wood composite to less than that of an analogous wood composite not treated with the wood stabilizer. A method for making wood composites and the product of that method are also disclosed. The method includes providing green wood particles and applying to them a wood stabilizer as described above, preferably without an intervening drying step. It is contemplated that the wood stabilizer can be applied in an amount effective to at least substantially preserve the resulting wood composite against at least one of rot, termites, and carpenter ants. While or after applying the stabilizer, a water repellant material is applied to the wood particles.

Abstract: A process for treating a wood substrate with a water-based formulation containing a wax in order to confer water repellency to the substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing the substrate in a treatment vessel and reducing the pressure in the vessel to remove air in the pores of the substrate; (b) contacting the substrate in the vessel, while reduced pressure is present in the vessel, with the formulation to allow the formulation to flow into said pores, said contacting being carried out at a temperature at or above that required to cause the wax to change into a molten state; (c) applying a positive pressure to the vessel to force the formulation into said pores; and (d) releasing the pressure in the vessel and removing the resultant wood substrate from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for treating wood involving impregnation of the wood with a preservative followed by the heat-fixation of the preservative in the wood using a pre-heated aqueous heat transfer fluid to effect the heat fixation of the preservative. The process particularly relates to steps which are taken to reduce the level of any contamination of the aqueous heat transfer fluid resulting from any wood extractives, any unfixed preservative and/or any particulate matter (i.e. "sludge") that may be present in the fluid. The contamination is preferably reduced by incorporating in the heat transfer fluid an oxidant which will preferentially oxidize any wood extractives resulting from the contact of the treated wood with the fluid without any significant reaction occurring between the oxidant and the preservative. Useful oxidants include inorganic chlorate salts such as sodium chlorate.

Abstract: An improved process for the fixation of preservatives in wood is disclosed which initiates the fixation process in the fixation vessel by the application of sufficient pressure to substantially obviate a thermal expansion effect of the treated wood; contacts the treated wood in the fixation vessel with an aqueous liquid heating medium preheated to a temperature of about 130.degree. to no more than about 200.degree. F. for a period of thirty minutes to about two hours; removes the aqueous liquid heating medium from the fixation vessel; applies a vacuum in the range of 10-30" Hg for a duration of up to about 30 minutes; and rinses the treated and fixed wood in said fixation vessel with heated clean water, heated to a temperature of about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: A fire retardant composition that utilizes pH control to lower corrosion is provided. The fire retardant composition contains B.sub.2 O.sub.3, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and NH.sub.3. Also provided is a fire retarded material of low corrosiveness.