Effect of short-chain silicones bearing different functional groups on the resistance of pine (<i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L.) and beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L.) against decay fungi

Abstract

Abstract Blocks of pine sapwood and beech wood were treated with water-based emulsions containing short-chain silicones with different α-ω-bonded functional groups, such as diamino, carboxyl and carbonyl, betain, and epoxy groups. The weight percent gain upon treatment of the pine wood specimens was relatively high (10%–20%), but their cross-sectional bulking was low (1%–2.5%). Thus, the anti-shrink efficiency (ASE) due to the treatment was also low. The first water-submersion tests revealed some hydrophobation of the treated wood. A second submersion test, however, revealed successful hydrophobation only for betain-functionalised material. The carboxylated silicone even increased the speed of water uptake as compared to the controls. The samples treated with silicones bearing epoxy, diamino, and carboxy functionalities showed a distinct reduction in mass loss compared to the control samples after 16 weeks of incubation with the fungi Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor according to EN 113 and CEN/TS 15083-1, whereas the betain-functionalised silicone did not enhance fungal resistance. All silicones tested lowered the mass loss in a soft rot test according to ENv 807. The mode of action of the silicones is discussed.