This invention refers to a method for producing magnetic cork particles comprising the steps of providing a composition of an alkaline solution and cork particles, with a size comprised between 1 nm and 2 mm, and stirring; Adding an acid solution containing Fe.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.2+ cations to the composition to cause the magnetization of the cork particles and maintaining the stirring; Filtering the solution obtained to obtain a magnetized cork particles precipitate, and washing the precipitate with water until the washed solution reaches a pH comprised between 4 and 7, and let dry until obtaining stabilized magnetized cork particles, wherein the magnetization of the cork particles is due to the formation of a magnetite coating on the particles, being the magnetite adsorbed on the particle surface. It also refers to magnetized cork particles thus obtained and their uses.

An additive formulation for lignocellulosic composites comprising a) a first aqueous emulsion comprising i) a component selected from the group consisting of petroleum wax, a triglyceride, and combinations thereof; and ii) a first anionic emulsifier; and b) a second aqueous emulsion comprising: i) a reaction product of I) a derivative of a polyol selected from the group consisting of saccharides, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, gluconic acids, and gluconic acid lactones; and II) a polyisocyanate; and ii) an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a second anionic emulsifier, a non-ionic emulsifier, and mixtures thereof, is disclosed.

A non-flammable composition is formulated to include ceramic powder, graphite, mica and ZrO.sub.2. The non-flammable composition is capable of being applied to an external surface of an item, or may be incorporated into the substrate material used to form an item prior to the item's manufacture. The non-flammable composition provides both fire-resistance and fire-retardant properties to the items that are treated thereby.

The present invention relates to a wood treatment device (1) for treating wood, and to a method for treating wood. Said wood treatment device (1) comprises a cylindrical hollow body (2) having inner end which is inside the wood when in use, and an outer end facing away from the inner end and at least one outlet opening (4). The cylindrical hollow body (2) comprises a receiving space (20) which is designed to receive a carrier material (20) containing a wood treatment agent. Said wood treatment device (1) also comprises a thrust pin (10) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hollow body (2), and which can be moved outside of the cylindrical hollow body (2) on the outer end. Said thrust pin (10) comprises at least one closure section (11, 12) which closes at least one outlet opening when the wood treatment device (1) is not in use, and when the wood treatment device (1) is in use, the at least one outlet opening is released after moving and the receiving chamber is brought into contact with the wood.

Wood preservative compositions comprising a particulate copper compound in a solvent carrier with low aromatic content. Particulate copper dispersions in this composition demonstrated superior stability, and wood treated with the composition is protected from attack by wood decay fungi and termites. The invention is also directed to wood preservative compositions comprising: (a.) a biodegradable organic solvent carrier selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, renewable resource oil, and biodiesel; (b.) a dispersion of solid particles of a metal compound having a particle size between about 0.005 microns to about 10 microns; (c.) an organic biocide; and (d.) a dispersant; ratio of the dispersant to the metal compound is from about 1:500 to about 100:1 (wt/wt). The invention is also directed to compositions comprising penflufen and solvent carriers. The invention is also directed to methods of treating wood using the compositions, and wood treated with the disclosed compositions and methods.

A flexible structure is formed by subjecting cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes hemicellulose and lignin therefrom. The treated wood has a unique 3-D porous structure with numerous channels, excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, and improved flexibility as compared to the natural wood. By further modifying the treated wood, the structure can be adapted to particular applications. For example, nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or any other coating or material can be added to the treated wood to form a hybrid structure. In some embodiments, open lumina with-in the structure can be at least partially filled with a non-wood substance, such as a flexible polymer, or with entangled cellulose nanofibers. The unique architecture and superior properties of the flexible wood allow for its use in various applications, such as, but not limited to, structural materials, solar thermal devices, flexible electronics, tissue engineering, thermal management, and energy storage.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a wood modifier and a method for wood modification, and in particular, to a method for preparing a room temperature cured multifunctional wood modifier and a method for wood modification to solve the problems of high construction temperature, high toxicity, poor leaching-resistance and single function of existing wood modifiers. The method includes: step 1: weighing a hydrophobic polymer resin, an additive, a curing agent and a solvent, mixing and then stirring at room temperature to obtain a functional reagent A; step 2: weighing nanoparticles, a surface modifier and toluene, mixing and then stirring, cleaning with acetone, centrifuging, and drying to obtain a functional reagent B; step 3: adding a functional reagent C into the functional reagent A, evenly stirring, adding the functional reagent B, and performing ultrasonic processing to obtain the multifunctional wood modifier.

The invention relates to a process for forming a wood-base product comprising the steps of a) providing particles of wood, b) resinating the particles of wood with a binder, c) compressing the resinated particles of wood to form a wood-base product, wherein before, during or after step b) the particles of wood and/or the binder are brought into contact with a broken dispersion. The invention also relates to the use of a polyfunctional compound as demulsifier for breaking a wax-containing dispersion. The invention further relates to a broken dispersion for hydrophobicizing lignocellulose-containing material. The invention additionally relates to a two-component system containing at least two components A and B: a wax-containing dispersion A) and a demulsifier B) having at least one functional group for breaking the wax-containing dispersion.

The invention relates to methods to thermally treat wood (e.g., flat-grain timber) to produce wood with enhanced color and/or weathering properties.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.