PERFORMANCE OF FINISHES ON WOOD THAT IS CHEMICALLY-MODIFIED BY ACETYLATION

Swelling and shrinkage of wood has a major effect on the performance o f coatings applied to its surface. Altering the molecular structure of wood by a react ion With acetic anhydride is known to improve the dim ensional stability of wood if considerably. Such acetylation of wood w as shown to have no effect on the drying characteristics and adhesion applied coatings. Weathering performance of coatings was improved cons iderably. A color stabilizing effect was achieved with acetylated Scot s pine with and without a clearcoating.