Objective
The main objective of this project is to improve the long-term performance of factory finished joinery components for exterior use. The use of the flame ionisation technique will enable this to be achieved with existing coatings without the need to resort to product reformulation. The proposal pertains to AREA 1 - Integrated Production and Processing Chains and relates specifically to sub-areas 1.3.4 and 1.3.2.1. The work will be directed at the exterior joinery market where the performance of coatings on wooden substrates are critical to the long-term success of finished joinery. Before developing a schedule of optimisation for individual species of commercial importance, the project will investigate the effects of timber processing variables on the flame ionisation process and its impact on improving the adhesion properties of woodcoatings (including basecoats)at the wood surface boundary. Validation of the project findings will be by means of a programme of adhesion studies and natural weathering trials which will include test windows flame-treated and coated in a commercial environment as part of a study examining the ease with which the process can be integrated into a commercial manufacturing operation. There are a number of sub-objectives which relate directly to the 'raw material to market chain' These are
:1) to develop an optimised technique for specific timber species using flame ionisation technology to improve the wettability and adhesion properties of woodcoatings to softwoods and hardwoods of commercial importance.
2) to assess the influence of substrate variables in order to establish optimised 'process templates' for individual species.
3 to relate changes in the surface properties of solid wood substrates after flame ionisation, with their effects on long-term (exposure) performance of woodcoatings.
4)To verify and quantify the beneficial effects of the treatment on a range of commercially important softwood and hardwood species of timber.
5) to assess the commercial viability of the technique as part of an integrated 'in-line' factory process.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
HP14 4ND HIGH WYCOMBE
United Kingdom