PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT EVALUATION WITH CCA AND ACQ-B OF 4 APPALACHIANWOOD SPECIES FOR USE IN TIMBER TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES

This work investigates the treatability of four Appalachian hardwoods with the waterborne preservatives CCA-C and ACQ-B. Heartwood and sapwo od of the species were investigated, at least initially, for all speci es. Six-inch-long nominal 2 by 4 samples of red maple, yellow-poplar, hickory, and beech were end-sealed and vacuum/pressure treated with a 1 percent active ingredient solution of ACQ-B or a 2 percent solution of CCA-C. The pressure durations were varied as well as the temperatur e of the solution (for ACQ-B). Measurements were taken of minimum and maximum penetration, percentage of cross-sectional area penetrated, an d retention of preservative as determined by x-ray fluorescence spectr oscopy. The sapwood of yellow-poplar and red maple was found to be 100 percent treatable. Hickory sapwood was consistent in treatability, al though limited, while beech sapwood fell somewhere between hickory and the other species. Statistical analysis indicated that the duration o f pressure periods used in this study had no consistent positive effec t on treatment. The preservative solution was a significant factor in improved measures of treatability in some instances.