Evaluation of nonpressure wood preservatives for military applications

Stan Lebow; Samuel L. Zelinka; Rachel A. Arango; Bessie Woodward; Patricia K. Lebow; Katie M. Ohno; Nathaniel P. Chotlos

doi:10.2737/FPL-RP-693

Treesearch

Evaluation of nonpressure wood preservatives for military applications

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stan Lebow, Samuel L. Zelinka, Rachel A. Arango, Bessie Woodward, Patricia K. Lebow, Katie M. Ohno, Nathaniel P. Chotlos

Year:

2017

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/FPL-RP-693

Source:

Res. Pap. FPL-RP-693. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 32 p.

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Download (PDF 3.18 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/55510.pdf

Abstract

Zinc naphthenate (ZnN) has been widely used for dip treatment of Department of Defense wood packaging materials but is no longer available. Research was conducted to evaluate the preservative efficacy and corrosiveness of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered alternatives to ZnN. Efficacy of “green” preservatives (defined here as not containing pesticides that require EPA registration) was also evaluated. Most of the EPA-registered preservatives provided decay and termite protection similar to or greater than that of ZnN. Four of the formulations provided protection equivalent to or greater than that of ZnN against termites and all decay fungi evaluated. The registered formulations tended to be more effective than ZnN in preventing termite feeding on Southern Pine, but some were less effective than ZnN in protecting yellow-poplar from termites. However, the “green” preservatives were not effective in preventing decay or termite attack. Corrosion testing revealed that all but one of the registered formulations were more corrosive than ZnN. The results of the laboratory fungal, termite, and corrosion testing were used to develop a protection index with recommended applications for the formulations evaluated.

Keywords

Wood preservatives, nonpressure, dip, decay, termites, corrosion, Department of Defense, wood packing materials

Citation

Lebow, Stan T.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Arango, Rachel A.; Woodward, Bessie M.; Lebow, Patricia K.; Ohno, Katie M.; Chotlos, Nathaniel P. 2017. Evaluation of nonpressure wood preservatives for military applications. Res. Pap. FPL-RP-693. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 32 p.