Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.

A process for producing nano veneers generally involving: placing a veneer to be treated in a vacuum vessel; adding a nano carbon powder and nano silicon dioxide suspension in the vacuum vessel; reducing the pressure in the vessel over a first period of time; increasing the pressure in the vessel; letting the contents of the vessel rest over a second period of time. The veneer may optionally be subjected to ultrasonic treatment, ultraviolet solidification treatment, or subsequent pressurization treatments to obtain the final nano veneer product. As a result, veneer manufactured using embodiments of the present invention will have the advantages of high strength, wear resistance, pollution resistance, acid and alkali resistance, water segregation and decay resistance.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) photochemistry for customizing an appearance of a wood product is described. In an implementation, a calculated amount of UVC radiation at a wavelength between 100-290 nanometers, for example, is applied to wood to achieve a desired appearance. The customized wood is free of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of stains, varnishes, and paints. The amount of UVC radiation to apply can be based on the tannin content of the wood or on other wood parameters or added photoactive agents. Photochemical interaction between the UVC radiation and various wood extracts, metal ion solutions, acids, bases, and oxidizers is also used to modify the color or lightness of a wood product. An example system includes multiple stations for programmatically spraying a wood product with various processing solutions, drying the wood, and irradiating the wood at one or more stages of the process with UVC radiation to interact with both the processing solutions and the wood surface, at programmed time intervals.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of applying an aqueous fire-retardant impregnate and applying a coating to the surface of the wood product. In one embodiment, said process confers fire-retardant properties to the wood products sufficient to pass the extended burn test of ASTM E-84. The present invention also provides fire retardant wood products.

Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.