Review of Oxine Copper Efficacy in Field Trials and Implications for Use in Military Wood Packaging Applications
| Authors: | Rachel A. Arango, Grant T. Kirker, Katie M. Ohno, Amy B. Bishell, Mark E. Mankowski, Patrick M. DeWald |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.13073/FPJ-D-26-00035 |
| Source: | Forest Products Journal |
Abstract
Oxine copper is listed in the United States as a wood preservative for exterior aboveground use, with active Environmental Protection Agency registrations for both oil- and water-based formulations. While it has limited use in many markets, water-based oxine copper is widely used by the US military to protect wood packing materials for munitions because of its low risk to human health and demonstrated activity against certain insects, decay, and sapstain fungi. Thus, it will likely persist as a wood treatment while other preservatives may face greater restrictions or elimination due to increased concerns regarding health and safety. Here, we summarize results from decades of field trials conducted by the Forest Products Laboratory, which incorporated various formulations of oxine copper on a variety of wood species, and present compiled data on the durability and expected service life of oxine copper-treated wood. Results showed the efficacy of oxine copper to be highly dependent on formulation and concentration and, to a lesser extent, wood species. In general, wood products treated with oil-based oxine copper formulations had substantially longer service lives than water-based formulations. However, not all oil-based treatments were the same; oxine copper in Stoddard solvent was not as effective as formulations in other petroleum-based solvents. Water-based formulations provided approximately 5 to 8 years of protection in ground contact or ground proximity. While this is sufficient based on current military specifications that require protection for 2 years under outdoor exposure, alternative formulations may be required in areas with higher termite or decay pressure.