Microwave modification can increase the permeability of wood by delaminating and rupturing its anatomical microstructures at their weak points. A high degree of intensity of microwave modification can cause significant structural damage to the microstructures of wood, resulting in poorer strength properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the anatomical structure of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) heartwood and sapwood after microwave modification in order to develop the most effective treatment in terms of applied energy without causing significant structural damage. Analysis with light and scanning electron microscopy were performed to evaluate the effect of microwave treatment for two different energy intensities, moderate and high intensity. The results indicated structural changes in the tracheid cells. Microscopy showed varying degrees of modification within the wood microstructure, with the heartwood samples showing a greater anatomical distortion compared to their sapwood counterparts. Furthermore, the samples were subjected to pycnometric density measurements, which indicated a reduction in skeletal and absolute density after microwave modification, for both high and moderate intensity treatment on sapwood and heartwood samples. With increasing microwave energy, a gradual increase in specific pore volume and porosity percentage of the samples were also detected.

Effect of microwave pre-treatment on preservative retention and treatability of Melia composita wood | Ajmal Samani, Sauradipta Ganguly, Renu Kanyal, Sadhna Tripathi | Agricultural Journals

This study investigates the effectiveness of microwave treatment (MW) on the antifungal properties of Norway spruce wood and the leaching of preservatives. Given the environmental and health concerns about conventional wood preservatives, this study evaluates microwave treatment as a sustainable pretreatment to limit the leaching of preservatives from wood. In the experiment, wood samples were treated with microwaves at five different energy levels before being impregnated with copper–ethanolamine- and boron-based preservatives. We assessed preservative retention by leaching tests and assessed the resistance of the wood to fungal attack. The results show that MW treatment improves the uptake and fixation of preservatives, reduces leachability, and significantly improves the durability of an otherwise perishable wood against fungal attack. This study emphasises the potential of microwave treatment for wood preservation. It offers an environmentally friendly approach to extending the life of wood products while maintaining their protective properties against decay.

Background: Depleting supplies of wood species with inherent natural durability has resulted in the focus being shifted to non-durable plantation grown and imported timber. Despite its abundant availability and better treatability, the use of Pinus roxburghii is limited to packing cases, crates, shutters, door and window frame, carpentry and joinery items due to its nondurable nature. Hence, to promote use of such timber for applications such as decking, cladding and facade elements chemical modification with a combination of citric acid and sodium hypophosphite, and heat treatment were explored to improve its service life. Methods: Chemical modification was performed using a water solution of citric acid (6.9%) and sodium hypophosphite (6.5%) followed by curing at 140°C for 8 hrs. Dimensional stability was determined by estimating the volumetric swelling coefficient and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) of treated and control samples. Durability against fungus and termites was evaluated using a soil block bioassay and termite mound test as per standard methods. Results: Both chemical modification and heat treatment of P. roxburghii resulted in enhanced dimensional stability and biological durability compared to the untreated controls. Chemical modification and heat treatment resulted in 23.05% and 18.37% volumetric ASE, respectively. Results showed that a highly perishable species became significantly more durable after chemical modification, exhibiting 5–6 times less mass loss by termites in comparison to the controls. Wood samples modified with citric acid showed excellent resistance to both white and brown rot fungi and exhibited 14-15 times less reduction in mass compared with untreated samples. Conclusions: Citric acid chemical modification is an environment friendly process that improved the dimensional stability as well as resistance against biodegradation. These studies may provide valuable inputs to establish this mode of chemical modification as a cost-effective alternative to other chemicals for wood preservation. The concentrations of the chemicals and temperature for fixation may be varied to establish an optimum combination for best output.

Effect of chemical modification on dimensional stability of Pinus radiata D. Don using acetic anhydride | Sanjeet Kumar Hom, Sauradipta Ganguly, Yasir Ullah Bhoru, Ajmal Samani | Agricultural Journals