Environmental effects on Chestnut wood (Castanea sativa Mill.) treated with different surface coatings

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of climatic factors on the deterioration of chestnut wood after various manipulations with surface coatings after exposure to ambient conditions for two years. The exposure of chestnut wood surfaces to atmospheric precipitation namely snow, rain and humidity, whether coated or uncoated with hydrophobic substances of low effectiveness led to discolouration due to leaching of water-soluble extracts possessed by the wood. The handling of chestnut wood with surface coatings of hydrophobic protectives (WR) such as teak oil in an organic solvent, epoxy resin based stain, transparent polyurethane varnish with UV protection factor, surface alkyd-based white varnish and exposure to ambient atmospheric conditions showed that discolouration was created due to the leaching of the water-soluble extracts, contained in the chestnut wood for surfaces coated or uncoated with hydrophobic substances of low effectiveness. It was therefore concluded that environmental factors cause discolouration of chestnut wood whether treated or untreated with hydrophobic substances of low effectiveness.