Agency:

Forest Service

Technology Description:

This invention presents a method of impregnating wood products under vacuum with a polymerizable monomer, and then heating the wood under pressure in order to facilitate polymerization and curing. The monomers used may include hexanediol diacrylate or hexanediol dimethacrylate. With this process, wood products are hardened and rendered fire retardant, and may be used for applications such as flooring where uniform hardness is desirable. The invention establishes a practical, economical, and relatively simple method for treating this wood.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,683,820, which issued November 4, 1997. See related U.S. Patent Numbers 5,609,915 and 5,605,767.

Inventors:

Roger M. Rowell USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI  53705-2398 (608) 231-9416

B. Shannon Fuller (Non-Forest Service) W. Dale Ellis (retired)