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Long-term durability and flame retardancy for outdoor wood : Multifunctional enhancement using phenol-formaldehyde resin and monoguanidine phosphate salt

Wu, Muting LU ; Karthäuser, Johannes LU ; Martin, Lucy ; Emmerich, Lukas ; Flecknoe-Brown, Konrad Wilkens LU ; Hesse, Linnea ; Hötte, Christoph and Militz, Holger (2025) In Industrial Crops and Products 235.
Abstract

Wood's flammability, low dimensional stability, and poor fungal resistance limit its application. In this study, Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was treated with a low-molecular-weight phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin and a monoguanidine phosphate flame retardant (FR) to achieve multifunctional enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed no interference of FR with PF curing, while SEM and cell wall bulking analysis demonstrated effective penetration. The treatment improved the modulus of elasticity and rupture, though impact bending strength slightly decreased. Fungal decay resistance reached durability class 1 (EN 350, 2016) based on white- and brown-rot tests (EN 113–2, 2021). Dynamic vapor sorption showed no... (More)

Wood's flammability, low dimensional stability, and poor fungal resistance limit its application. In this study, Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was treated with a low-molecular-weight phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin and a monoguanidine phosphate flame retardant (FR) to achieve multifunctional enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed no interference of FR with PF curing, while SEM and cell wall bulking analysis demonstrated effective penetration. The treatment improved the modulus of elasticity and rupture, though impact bending strength slightly decreased. Fungal decay resistance reached durability class 1 (EN 350, 2016) based on white- and brown-rot tests (EN 113–2, 2021). Dynamic vapor sorption showed no increase in equilibrium moisture content below 70 % RH. Artificial and natural weathering tests confirmed good FR retention and weathering resistance. Thermogravimetric analysis showed enhanced thermal stability, with higher char residue than FR-only treatments. Cone calorimetry verified sustained flame retardancy even after weathering. This combined treatment offers a durable, multifunctional wood modification approach suitable for structural and outdoor applications.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Chemical modification, Flame retardancy, Leaching resistance, Thermoseting resin, Weathering
in
Industrial Crops and Products
volume
235
article number
121825
pages
11 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105014507626
ISSN
0926-6690
DOI
10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121825
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors
id
edf497da-2be6-4a54-ae0c-2f13de82a64d
date added to LUP
2025-09-11 21:59:36
date last changed
2025-09-19 13:43:16
@article{edf497da-2be6-4a54-ae0c-2f13de82a64d,
  abstract     = {{<p>Wood's flammability, low dimensional stability, and poor fungal resistance limit its application. In this study, Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was treated with a low-molecular-weight phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin and a monoguanidine phosphate flame retardant (FR) to achieve multifunctional enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed no interference of FR with PF curing, while SEM and cell wall bulking analysis demonstrated effective penetration. The treatment improved the modulus of elasticity and rupture, though impact bending strength slightly decreased. Fungal decay resistance reached durability class 1 (EN 350, 2016) based on white- and brown-rot tests (EN 113–2, 2021). Dynamic vapor sorption showed no increase in equilibrium moisture content below 70 % RH. Artificial and natural weathering tests confirmed good FR retention and weathering resistance. Thermogravimetric analysis showed enhanced thermal stability, with higher char residue than FR-only treatments. Cone calorimetry verified sustained flame retardancy even after weathering. This combined treatment offers a durable, multifunctional wood modification approach suitable for structural and outdoor applications.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wu, Muting and Karthäuser, Johannes and Martin, Lucy and Emmerich, Lukas and Flecknoe-Brown, Konrad Wilkens and Hesse, Linnea and Hötte, Christoph and Militz, Holger}},
  issn         = {{0926-6690}},
  keywords     = {{Chemical modification; Flame retardancy; Leaching resistance; Thermoseting resin; Weathering}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Industrial Crops and Products}},
  title        = {{Long-term durability and flame retardancy for outdoor wood : Multifunctional enhancement using phenol-formaldehyde resin and monoguanidine phosphate salt}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121825}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121825}},
  volume       = {{235}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}