DECAY RESISTANCE AND COLOR STABILITY OF WOOD TREATED WITH JUGLANS REGIA EXTRACT

Abstract

This study was designed to determine antifungal activities and color stability under ultraviolet (UV) exposure of wood treated with aqueous solutions of Juglans regia extract. The extract was prepared from Juglans regia's, shells skins in 96% ethyl alcohol. Then, its aqueous solutions were prepared as % 0.125, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.50%. Extract impregnated into wood blocks of becch (Fagus Orientalis L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) according to ASTMD 1413-76. Treated blocks were exposed to Postia plesenta and Trametes versicolour attack for 3 months by the soil block method using the procedure set out in ASTM D 1413-76. Determination of color stability of wood specimens treated with aqueous solutions of Juglans regia extract, they were exposed to UV lightfastness test for 500, 1000, and 1500 hours exposure. Results showed that mass losses for all treated wood specimens decreased in some extent confirming the effectiveness of extract solution in enhancing decay resistance. According to decay test results, mass loss of both wood specimens treated with % 0.5 aqueous solution of Juglans regia was the lowest for both decay fungi after 3 months decay exposure. Lightness values of both of wood specimens silightly changed as, a result of 500, 1000, and 1500 lightfastness exposure. It was observed that color stability of beech wood was higher than untreated Scots pine wood after 500, 1000 and 1500 h exposure. The best color stability for both of wood specimens were obtained treated with madder Without mordant solution and a mixture of madder and iron, respectively.