| abstract |
A process for reducing the rate of deterioration of wood that includes contacting the wood with an aqueous alkanline colloidal silicon-containing slat composition that is supersaturated with a boron-containing salt. The contacting may be at ambient or elevated temperature and pressure. The composition is an aqueous colloidal silicon-containing salt that is supersaturated with a boron-containing salt and optionally includes an aluminum salt and a preservative. The composition is made by mixing the boron-containing salt with a colloidal, aqueous mixture of a silicon-containing salt and optionally adding the aluminum salt and the preservative. The process is performed under conditions that result in a supersaturated solution of the boron-containing salt. Wood treated with the composition appears to be resistant to insects, rot, UV deterioration, fire, and other environmental insults. The wood also appears to have increased strength. |