A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

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 containing an aqueous phase as continuous phase, a disperse phase containing wax and at least one emulsifier. The invention further relates to a broken dispersion for hydrophobicizing lignocellulose-containing material, wherein the broken dispersion is obtainable by mixing at least mixed a wax-containing dispersion A) containing the following components: i) at least one aqueous phase as continuous phase, ii) at least one disperse phase containing wax, and iii) at least one emulsifier, with a demulsifier B) having at least one functional group. The invention additionally relates to a two-component system (kit-of-parts) containing at least two components A and B: a wax-containing dispersion A) containing at least one aqueous phase as continuous phase, at least one disperse phase containing wax, and at least one emulsifier, and a demulsifier B) having at least one functional group for breaking the wax-containing dispersion.

The present disclosure relates to the use of various quinones to protect building materials from bird, pest and/or fungal damage. In particular, the disclosure relates to incorporating one or more quinone compounds in a building material to deter birds, pests or fungi from damaging such material.

The present disclosure relates to the use of various quinones to protect building materials from bird, pest and/or fungal damage. In particular, the disclosure relates to incorporating one or more quinone compounds in a building material to deter birds, pests or fungi from damaging such material.

A method of treating wood with an organic phosphonate salt in a liquid phase to chemically modify its surface and thus provide protection from microorganisms. The organic phosphonate salts are of Formula III

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wherein R1 is a hydrogen radical or an alkyl or aryl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R2 is a cation selected from the group of NH4+, H+, Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Fr+, Cu+, Ag+, substituted or unsubstituted ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium, methylpyrrolidinium, isothiazolium, isoxazolium, oxazolium, pyrrolium, thiophenium, pyridinium, pyridazinium, pyrimidinium, pyrazinium, imidazolium, pyrazolium, thiazolium, oxazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, and triazolium, or a mixture thereof, said method preferably comprising using one or more salt compounds having formula III. Products comprising a raw material having been treated according to the method with one or more organic salts of formula III are also disclosed.

Provided is a composition for the preservation of wood and other cellulosic materials. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized inorganic compounds and/or organic biocides in an organic carrier. Also provided is a method for making the composition.

The present disclosure describes a treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising an olefin-carboxylic acid copolymer; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine.

The present invention provides wood preservative compositions comprising micronized particles. In one embodiment, the composition comprises dispersions of micronized metal or metal compounds. In another embodiment, the wood preservative composition comprises an inorganic component comprising a metal or metal compound and organic biocide. When the composition comprises an inorganic component and an organic biocide, the inorganic component or the organic biocide or both are present as micronized particles. When compositions of the present invention are used for preservation of wood, there is minimal leaching of the metal and biocide from the wood.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.