Timber Treatment Application Technologies
Whether a preservative product, flame retardant or decorative coating, factory application ensures all faces of the product are treated, ensuring a measured improvement in performance. The process also minimises environmental impact or human exposure.
There are three proven and commercially available industrial timber treatment processes:
Wood Modification
Integral to Manufacture
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Flame retardants can be incorporated to MDF, particleboard, flaxboard, OSB and plywood as an integral part of production where an enhanced reaction to fire rating is required.
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INT1 and INT2 options are available, in either Euroclass B or C
(depending on product).
PROCESSES ARE SPECIFIC
TO MANUFACTURER
Factory applied Coatings
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Decorative coatings can be factory surface applied, as can certain flame retardant coatings (i.e. intumescent*) so long as third-party, quality assured process control is in place.
*Intumescent coatings react to fire by expanding and forming a barrier on the substrate surface. This slows down ignition and spread of flame.
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Timber Treatment Vacuum Pressure Impregnation
Treatment facilities usually consist of a large cylindrical treatment vessel, multiple storage tanks and a rail track, all enclosed in a bunded area to contain any spillages.
The basics of the vacuum pressure process
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Preservative Timber Treatment
There are two main processes: low pressure (or double vacuum) and high pressure.
Low pressure treatments are typically for timbers specified for Use Classes 1 – 3 coated. The predominantly water-based treatment provides an effective ‘envelope’ protection around the timber.
High pressure treatment is particularly effective for Use Class 3 and 4 applications, especially for in ground contact as higher levels of protection can be achieved.
Timber Treatment Plant Control Systems
Most treatment formulations are supplied as concentrate which need to be added to either water or another liquid to create a 'solution'. The way they are mixed depends on the formulation, timber species, component and treatment class required. Specific solution loading guides published by the formulation manufacturers and used by plant operators should be quality checked on a regular basis.
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Plant control software systems significantly enhance quality control and data reporting around the treatment operation. Such systems can be obtained from formulation manufacturers or plant suppliers.
Timber Treatment Incising Technologies
Incising technologies are increasingly utilised for preservative impregnation of high risk post components - small even incisions provide channels for deeper penetration of the preservative formulation.
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Specialised systems for use either as stand alone or as part of the whole production line can be designed and engineered to suit a sawmill's particular set-up. There are machines to incise either round or flat sided posts.
Timber Treatment Plant and Systems
WPA members AV Birch and Timber Treatment Solutions based in the UK and Wood Treatment Technology (WTT), based in Denmark, provide engineering expertise for plant / system design and manufacture for the timber treatment technologies sector.
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Information on Flame Retardant and preservative treatments for timber and modified wood.
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