New surface properties for wood and wood coatings by plasma treatment: Fid-Bau Portal

New surface properties for wood and wood coatings by plasma treatment

Pdogorski, Laurence / Schambourg, Francoise / Maguin, Jacques / Chevet, Bruno

The aim of the study was to transpose the plasma technology to wood - a technology that is currently well mastered in the textile industry. The considered application of plasma treatment consists in decreasing the wood wettability in order to make it water-repellent. Applied on bare wood and because this film is invisible, the unfinished, natural look of the wood, currently so sought-after by architects, is retained. If it turns out to be sufficiently resistant, it is conceivable that it will be no longer necessary to cover wood with finishing products. If the film is not sufficient in itself, the deposit on the coated wood might help to extend the service life of the finish and ensure that wood will regain market shares for outdoor uses. Test samples of pine were waterproofed by gaseous fluorine or silicone plasma treatment and liquid fluorine plasma treatment. The water wettability was assessed by measuring the contact angle of a water drop on the treated surface. Tests attest to the effectiveness of these treatments. Treatments parameters best suited to bare wood were selected. Artificial weathering tests on bare wood samples and coated wood samples with and without plasma treatments have shown that best results were obtained in liquid phase. Plasma treatment based on fluorine in liquid phase delays the weathering of bare wood and coated wood. Better results could probably be obtained by making a selection of treatment parameters directly on coated wood samples. This treatment may have different applications in the wood industry. For example it could be considered for coated wooden windows to better protect some pieces particular sensitive to weathering like window sills and bottom beads.