Durability of yellow-poplar and sweetgum and service life of finishes after long-term exposure

Abstract

This report describes the results of long-term outdoor exposure on durability of hardwood plywood and the service life of various finishes. Smooth (abrasive-planed) and rough (saw-textured) yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) plywood panelswere exposed outdoors for 16 years near Madison, Wisconsin. The performance of several finishes was evaluated over a 12-year period, and the panels were evaluated for decay after 16 years. Oil or latex semitransparent stain provided less than 5 years of service life. Nevertheless, the wood showed only minor decay after 16 years. In contrast, latex paint was in excellent condition after 12 years, but the wood showed considerable decay. Our results indicate that more weather resistant film-forming finishes increase the incidence of decay in yellow- poplar and sweetgum.

Citation

Williams, R. Sam; Feist, William C. 2004. Durability of yellow-poplar and sweetgum and service life of finishes after long-term exposure. Forest products journal. Vol. 54, nos. 7/8 (July/Aug. 2004): Pages 96-101