Preservation of Timber
Timber is to be seasoned well before application of preservatives. The following are the widely used
preservatives:
1. Tar
2. Paints
3. Chemical salt
4. Creosote
5. ASCO
1. Tar: Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. The coating of tar protects the timber from
the attack of fungi and insects. It is a cheapest way of protecting timber. Main disadvantage of this
method of preservation is that appearance is not good after tar is applied it is not possible to apply other attractive paints. Hence tarring is made only for the unimportant structures like fence poles.
2. Paints: Two to three coats of oil paints are applied on clean surface of wood. The paint
protects the timber from moisture. The paint is to be applied from time to time. Paint improves the
appearance of the timber. Solignum paint is a special paint which protects the timber from the attack of termites.
3. Chemical salt: These are the preservatives made by dissolving salts in water. The salts used
are copper sulphate, masonry chloride, zinc chloride and sodium fluoride. After treating the timber with these chemical salt paints and varnishes can be applied to get good appearance.
4. Creosote: Creosote oil is obtained by distillation of coal tar. The seasoned timber is kept in
an air tight chamber and air is exhausted. Then creosote oil is pumped into the chamber at a pressure of 0.8 to 1.0 N/mm2 at a temperature of 50°C. After 1 to 2 hours timber is taken out of the chamber.
5. ASCO: This preservative is developed by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. It consists
of 1 part by weight of hydrated arsenic pentoxide (As2O5, 2 H2O), 3 parts by weight of copper sulphate (CuSO4⋅5 H2O) and 4 parts by weight of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O7⋅2 H2O). This preservative is available in powder form. By mixing six parts of this powder with 100 parts of water, the solution is prepared. The solution is then sprayed over the surface of timber.
This treatment prevents attack from termites. The surface may be painted to get desired appearance.