Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2006. / Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Errata sheet inserted. Appendix reprints four papers and manuscripts co-authored with others. Includes bibliographical references. Issued also electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks appendix.

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The problem with which this study was concerned was that of developing wood stain formulas from a small supply of materials. These formulas should produce a wide variety of colors from which to select, the use of which should be suited to the school or home laboratory.

Thesis (M.S. in materials science and engineering)--Washington State University, December 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in materials science and engineering)--Washington State University, May 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

The effects of natural preconditioning (source wood), wood species, and previous exposure of wood to two types of fungi on the feeding rates and protozoa survival in the Pacific dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis (Isoptera: Termospidae) were examined under laboratory conditions. Termites were exposed to four wood species that had been treated previously with a non-wood decay fungus or a wood decay fungus for various lengths of time, or were untreated. Termite feeding was measured in forced feeding and choice feeding tests, after which two types of gut protozoa (Trichomitopsis spp. and Trichonympha spp.) were counted. Wood species and previous fungal exposure both affected consumption rates and protozoa numbers in Z. angusticollis. The results indicated that pre-conditioning did not affect the amount of wood consumed or protozoa numbers in forced feeding tests, but sometimes affected protozoa numbers in choice feeding tests. Exposure of various conifer woods to an early colonizing white rot fungus, Stereum sanguinolentum, affected how much wood of a particular species was consumed by dampwood termites in both forced and choice feeding tests. Exposure of these woods to a non-wood decay fungus, Trichoderma viride, had little effect on wood consumption but did affect the numbers of one type of gut protozoan, Trichoniitopsis, in choice testing. / Graduation date: 1993

The efficacy of biodiesel as a co-solvent for copper naphthenate wood preservative treating solutions was evaluated using two fungal decay methodologies (AWPA E10-09, British Standard Method EN113). Four fungal species (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Trametes versicolor, Poria xantha, Postia placenta) and three wood species (Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine, Western red cedar) with six replicates were utilized in both studies. Two levels of biodiesel: diesel (30:70 and 50:50) were compared to diesel-only solvent systems for copper naphthenate treating systems and treated to AWPA recommended retentions. No differences in decay efficacy between the biodiesel blends and diesel-only treatment in either the AWPA or the EN113 decay studies were detected for either standard method. Copper distribution was evaluated using SEM-EDX and no differences were noted with either solvent system. It was determined that the presence of biodiesel did not have a negative impact upon the efficacy of copper naphthenate as a wood preservative.

Borate can be a potential candidate to protect building envelope components from biodegradation as it has low toxicity and can penetrate wood without pressure treatment, even in the refractory species commonly used in construction industries as structural components. In this research, wood moisture content, grain direction, formulation and species that affect the diffusion of borate in refractory species were investigated. Two highly concentrated formulations were applied and a novel approach (borate bandage) was used to keep the preservative on the surface and enhance the diffusion by reducing surface drying. From ANOVA test for different diffusion periods and depths of penetration, it was found that grain directions and moisture content are significant factors. A mould test was performed, the diffusion co-efficients were calculated and some recommendations were made about the quantity required to protect a specific volume of wood considering the distance moved by diffusion and volume treated in different directions.