TRANSPORT-COEFFICIENTS FOR 6 LOG AND LUMBER END COATINGS

Moisture transport coefficient measurements were done to compare six l og and lumber end coatings applied to pine, maple, hemlock, and oak su bstrates. Uncoated control samples were also tested for comparative pu rposes. The transport coefficient measures the ability of a coating to slow moisture loss from the wood and is indicative of the coatings ef ficiency in retarding shrinkage-related end-checks and splits. The tra nsport experiments showed that all of the coatings were effective in r educing the moisture loss from wood when compared to uncoated control samples. When the coatings were compared statistically, it was found t hat no significant differences existed among the commercial log and lu mber end coatings.