Chapter 6: Above Ground Deterioration of Wood and Wood-Based Materials

Grant T. Kirker; Jerrold Winandy

doi:10.1021/bk-2014-1158.ch006

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Chapter 6: Above Ground Deterioration of Wood and Wood-Based Materials

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Grant T. Kirker, Jerrold Winandy

Year:

2014

Type:

Book Chapter

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2014-1158.ch006

Source:

In Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials; Schultz, T., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; pp. 114-129.

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Abstract

Wood as a material has unique properties that make it ideal for above ground exposure in a wide range of structural and non-strucutral applications. However, no material is without limitations. Wood is a bio-polymer which is subject to degradative processes, both abiotic and biotic. This chapter is a general summary of the abiotic and biotic factors that impact service life of wood in above ground exposures, and briefly discusses test methodologies commonly used in North America to determine the durability of wood and wood based materials in above ground exposure. Current efforts to improve service life estimates for wood and wood based materials are also discussed.

Keywords

Durability, wood protection, molecular identification, wood decay fungi

Citation

Kirker, Grant; Winandy, Jerrold. 2014. Chapter 6: Above Ground Deterioration of Wood and Wood-Based Materials. In Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials; Schultz, T., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; pp. 114-129.