| abstract |
Wood is modified by impregnating wood with a methylsiloxane oligomer and heating the impregnated wood to cure the oligomer. The oligo is of the average compositional formula: (CH 3 SiO 3/2 ) m (MO 3/2 ) n or [CH 3 SiO 3/2 ] x [(CH 3 ) a SiO (4-a)/2 ] y [MO 3/2 ] z wherein M is P, PO and/or B, m and n are positive numbers with an average ratio of m:n ranging from 99:1 to 50:50, x, y, and z are positive numbers with an average ratio of (x+y):z ranging from 99:1 to 50:50 and an average ratio of x:y ranging from 99:1 to 50:50, and a is 2 or 3, and has a hydroxyl group and/or an alkoxyl group at a terminal end. This treatment of wood is safe. Since the methylsilicone resins thus incorporated and fixed within wood are not leached out in water, the modified wood maintains flame retardance semi-eternally upon exposure to rain and dew and has water repellence, decay resistance and dimensional stability. |