SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION OF CHROMATED COPPER ARSENATE (CCA)-TREATED RED MAPLE

Red maple wood blocks were treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA ) preservative. The surface quality of both treated and untreated wood was characterized by various analytical techniques. Environmental sca nning electron microscopy (ESEM) showed deposits of metal oxides on th e cell wall of CCA-treated wood. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS ) indicated a higher oxygen/carbon ratio on the surface for CCA-treate d wood than for untreated controls or water-treated samples. The surfa ce of CCA-treated wood was rougher than that of untreated and water-tr eated wood. Higher contact angles for CCA-treated wood with water, gly cerol, and phenol-formaldehyde adhesive compared with untreated wood i ndicated poor wettability and a hydrophobic surface, which may partial ly explain why composites made of CCA-treated wood exhibit low perform ance, particularly in exterior applications.