Impregnation of Scots pine and beech with tannin solutions: effect of viscosity and wood anatomy in wood infiltration

• DOI: 10.1007/s00226-012-0524-5
• Publication Date: 2013-01-21T10:06:57Z
• Authors: G. Tondi; M. F. Thevenon; B. Mies; G. Standfest; A. Petutschnigg; S. Wieland
• Keywords: K50 - Technologie des produits forestiers; bois; 0106 biological sciences; Acacia mearnsii; Fagus sylvatica; Original; Plant Science; trachéide; 01 natural sciences; Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering; tannin; Materials Science(all); http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7606; anatomie du bois; J12 - Manutention, transport, stockage et conservation des produits forestiers; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_31731; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5582; préservation du bois; produit de préservation du bois; Pinus sylvestris; Forestry; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_24637; Pycnoporus; méthode; Viscosité; parenchyme; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8429; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8428; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7837; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5912; flavonoïde; 0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2964; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4788; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15219; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8421; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_43; http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8422

The impregnation process of Scots pine and beech samples with tannin solutions was investigated. The two materials involved in the process (impregnation solution and wood samples) are studied in depth. Viscosity of mimosa tannin solutions and the anatomical aspect of beech and Scots pine were analysed and correlated. The viscosity of tannin solutions presents a non-newtonian behaviour when its pH level increases, and in the case of addition of hexamine as a hardener, the crosslinking of the flavonoids turns out to be of great importance. During the impregnation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), the liquid and solid uptakes were monitored while taking into consideration the different conditions of the impregnation process. This method allowed to identify the best conditions needed in order to get a successful preservative uptake for each wooden substrate. The penetration mechanism within the wood of both species was revealed with the aid of a microscopic analysis. Scots pine is impregnated through the tracheids in the longitudinal direction and through parenchyma rays in the radial direction, whereas in beech, the penetration occurs almost completely through longitudinal vessels.