Agency:

Forest Service

March 2, 1994

This invention is a method for the protection of wood and other lignocellulosic materials from attack by microorganisms with the use of iodates. The method consists of treating wood or other lignocellulosic materials by soaking it in a solution of iodate for a period of time ranging from three hours to seven days at temperatures between 20C and 50C. The treated material is then removed from the solution and dried. Wood treated with this method shows resistance to attack by wood-degrading microorganisms. Furthermore, the iodates are resistant to leaching from the wood and other lignocellulosic materials after such treatment.

George C. Chen	Roger M. Rowell
USDA-Forest Service	USDA-Forest Service
Madison, WI	Madison, WI
(608) 231-9421	(608) 231-9416

Industry Keywords:

iodate; wood preservation; lignocellulosic materials.