Wood as organic material is generally not suitable for outdoor applications, as it is susceptible to different factors of decomposition. Thus, it has to be protected properly. One of the solutions is protection with hydrophobic solutions, which limits moisturizing, and therefore, protects it from fungal decomposition. The purpose of this research was to elucidate efficacy of different hydrophobic solutions, and emulsions to reduce or slow down moisturizing. Norway spruce (Pices abies) wood samples were impregnated with different hydrophobic solutions (rustical oil, silicone emulsion, linseed oil, mountain wax, tung oil, etc.). After the impregnation and conditioning, the impregnated part of the samples was exposed to water as prescribed by EN 927-5 standards. After respective periods of submersion, (1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 days) after uptake as gravimetrically determined. Hydrophobic solutions were more or less effective. Among the tested hydrophobic solutions rustical oil exhibited the highest efficacy, while the lowest hydrophobic effect was determined at spruce wood samples impregnated with polyethylene wax emulsions, which were heated above 45 °C prior testing (WE1 50).
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