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Abstract
The amount of southern pine lumber treated with chromated copper arsenate annually is considerable, yet the association of this preservative with the wood structure is not clear. The current study was undertaken to elucidate the nature of chemical reactions occurring between the components of the treating solution and the constituents of wood. Small, clear Southern pine samples were treated with six different preservative solutions (Cr; Cr/Cu; Cr/As; CCA-A; CCA-B; CCA-C), at 6.4 and 40 Kg/m3 (0.4 and 2.5 pcf) retentions, and compared to water treated and untreated controls. Samples were dried following treatment and analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Evaluation of XPS data indicated that the preservative components reacted with wood, through aromatic and possibly alkene substitution, while oxidation of hydroxyl groups was not detected. The proposed wood/CCA bonding also offers an explanation for differences in hardwood and softwood durability following treatment.