The present invention relates to the manufacturing a wood-polymer composite. It is directed to a method for manufacturing such a composite, including the provision of a wood element (1), the impregnation of the wood element with a lactic acid water-based solution (2), and then the thermal treatment of the impregnated wood element (3) at a heating temperature higher than a nominal temperature where the in-situ polymerization of the lactic acid is initiated, in order both to induce the diffusion of the lactic water-based solution acid water-based solution within the impregnated wood element and to initiate the in-situ polymerization of the lactic acid. According to the invention, the thermal treatment (3) includes the acceleration of the increase of the heating temperature and/or the decreasing of the nominal temperature.

The present invention relates to the manufacturing a wood-polymer composite. It is directed to a method for manufacturing such a composite, including the provision of a wood element (1), the impregnation of the wood element with a lactic acid water-based solution (2), and then the thermal treatment of the impregnated wood element (3) at a heating temperature higher than a nominal temperature where the in-situ polymerization of the lactic acid is initiated, in order both to induce the diffusion of the lactic water-based solution acid water-based solution within the impregnated wood element and to initiate the in-situ polymerization of the lactic acid. According to the invention, the thermal treatment (3) includes the acceleration of the increase of the heating temperature and/or the decreasing of the nominal temperature.

A composition for preparing an emulsion or microemulsion, the composition including the following components (A) to (D): component (A): an active ingredient having a solubility in water at 20 C. of 200 ppm or less; component (B): a water-insoluble solvent having no alcohol group; component (C): at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amino ether, and a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl amino ether; and component (D): a monohydric alcohol having 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

A composition for preparing an emulsion or microemulsion, the composition including the following components (A) to (D): component (A): an active ingredient having a solubility in water at 20 C. of 200 ppm or less; component (B): a water-insoluble solvent having no alcohol group; component (C): at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether, a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amino ether, and a polyoxyalkylene alkenyl amino ether; and component (D): a monohydric alcohol having 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of contacting a composition comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, with the wood product. The invention also provides wood products comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, that have greater dimensional stability compared to an untreated wood product.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of contacting a composition comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, with the wood product. The invention also provides wood products comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, that have greater dimensional stability compared to an untreated wood product.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a method of preparing compositions comprising submicron particles of a metal salt. The method comprises providing an aqueous alkaline solution comprising a metal, one or more ligand that forms a soluble complex with the metal under alkaline conditions, and optionally one or more dispersant; and admixing the solution and a source of carbon dioxide to reduce the pH of the solution such that submicron particles of a metal salt precipitate. Also disclosed are compositions prepared by the method. Also disclosed is a method of treating a substrate, such as lumber, comprising applying the compositions and substrates treated by the method.

Disclosed is a method of preparing compositions comprising submicron particles of a metal salt. The method comprises providing an aqueous alkaline solution comprising a metal, one or more ligand that forms a soluble complex with the metal under alkaline conditions, and optionally one or more dispersant; and admixing the solution and a source of carbon dioxide to reduce the pH of the solution such that submicron particles of a metal salt precipitate. Also disclosed are compositions prepared by the method. Also disclosed is a method of treating a substrate, such as lumber, comprising applying the compositions and substrates treated by the method.