WEATHERING OF CHEMICALLY MODIFIED WOOD - ACCELERATED WEATHERING OF ACETYLATED RADIATA PINE

Acetylation of radiata pine veneer was shown to improve the colour stability and weathering resistance of material exposed to accelerated weathering conditions. Two exterior finishes, an opaque acrylic stain and a semi-transparent alkyd stain, as well as unfinished veneer, were studied. Significantly less checking was observed for unfinished, acetylated samples or acetylated veneers finished with the alkyd stain when compared with untreated controls. Examination of unfinished samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that, although checking was not completely prevented by acetylation of the veneer, it gave significant protection from the effects of weathering.