SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE AND INFRARED STUDIES OF WEATHERING IN SOUTHERN PINE

Southern pine has been subjected to a variety of artificial weathering conditions and the wood surface analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of light on the wea thering process is quite rapid; changes in functional groups on the wo od surface, as monitored by infrared spectroscopy, occur within a few hours exposure. Light and water, both acting together, cause the great est damage to the surface polymer structure, whereas water alone has v ery little effect on the chemistry of the surface. SEM data, however, show that water has a deleterious effect on the physical characteristi cs of the surface. Acetylation of the wood under mild conditions serve s to protect the surface from the weathering effect of light and water . The extent of weathering is reduced by approximately 50%.