Influence of treatment with water-soluble CCB preservative on the physical-mechanical properties of brazilian tropical timber

This aim of this work is to present an analysis of the influence of impregnation against biological demand, realized with saline solution of CCB (Chromated Copper Borate preservative) by vacuum-pressure process, on physical-mechanical properties of tropical wood species Simarouba sp., Cedrelinga catenaeformis and Erisma uncinatum Warm. In theory, such process could increase the number of surface defects in wood pieces and reduce its strength properties. To investigate this influence, the complete species characterization was carried out in two conditions (without treatment and CCB treated wood). Tukey’s multiple comparisons test (5% significance level) was applied. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs were obtained with the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate preservative presence at the cellular level. Results permitted to conclude that CCB impregnation process did not affect physical-mechanical properties of the studied species.