| abstract |
The present inventors have discovered that amine oxides are highly effective as wood preservatives. The present invention provides a wood preservative composition comprising a biocidally effective amount of one or more amine oxides. Preferably, the wood preservative composition is substantially free of halogenated compounds (such as halides and chlorinated compounds) and quaternary ammonium compounds. The wood preservative composition of the present invention exhibits low toxicity, high stability in water, low corrosivity to metal substrates (such as steel substrates), excellent penetration and uniform distribution into wood, low odor, waterproofing properties, and high leaching resistance. The wood preservative composition may be applied to the surface of a wood substrate or be applied by pressure treating the wood substrate with the wood preservative composition. Other cellulosic and fiber materials, such as cotton, burlap, and like materials, may be preserved with the composition of the present invention. Another embodiment is a method of controlling microorganisms, such as fungal decay organisms (generally known as white rot, brown rot, and soft rot fungi) and sapstain organisms, on and/or in a wood substrate, such as fresh cut lumber, comprising applying a biocidally effective amount of the composition of the present invention to the wood substrate. |