Changes in Chemical Composition, Crystallizability, and Microstructure of Decayed Wood-Fiber-Mat-Reinforced Composite Treated with Copper Triazole Preservative

Abstract

Wood-fiber-mat-reinforced composites (WFMRCs) possess excellent physical and mechanical properties and provide high structural performance, making them a suitable engineering structural material. However, WFMRCs are susceptible to biological attack by fungi and insects when they are used in outdoor environments. In this study, the efficacy of copper triazole (CuAz) preservative treatment in protecting WFMRC against decay by white- and brown-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor and Gloeophyllum trabeum, respectively) was evaluated. Both fungi caused a mass loss in the untreated scrimber of more than 15%, while the CuAz preservative treatment reduced the mass loss to 5%. The measurement results show that CuAz treatment could effectively reduce the degradation rate of three major components of wood; inhibit fungal colonization and degradation; and improve the decay resistance of WFMRC. The atmospheric impregnation of CuAz preservative is more suitable for the material features of WFMRC than vacuum impregnation and can be considered for practical industrial applications. This study provides technical support for the protection and outdoor application of WFMRCs.