AN INVESTIGATION ON COLOUR AND GLOSS CHANGES OF WOOD IMPREGNATED WITH BORATES

Abstract

This study was designed to determine colour changes and gloss values of wood impregnated with some borates. Ammonium tetrafluoroborate (AFB), sodium tetrafluoroborate (SFB), and ammonium pentaborate octahydrate (APB) were used as borates. Wood specimens were prepared from Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Before test, wood specimens were impregnated with 3 % aqueous solution of borates according to ASTM D 1413-76 (1976). Then, colour changes and gloss values of wood were tested. Results showed that borate treatments darkened the both wood species. Total colour differences of Scots pine were higher than Oriental beech. Borate treatments remarkably decreased gloss values of Oriental beech and Scots pine.