Diffusec

3. Introduction

4. Introduction

5. Introduction

6. Introduction

7. Introduction

8. Introduction

9. Introduction

10. History Diffusec has been in use for over thirty years in Europe

11. Diffusec is not classed as a dangerous or toxic substance

12. Technology in a nutshell Wood rot is a fungal growth that occurs when wood becomes damp. Fungi have four basic requirements to grow and reproduce: Moisture Oxygen Food Adequate temperature Wood, microscopically, consists of bundles of large hollow tubes with doors across the tubes every so often. These tubes are the walls of the living cells, long since dead with only the skeletons remaining. The hollow tubes, or cell walls, are the skeletons of those cells. Diffusec causes some of the oxygen molecules within the cellulose to be replaced with fluoride, this effectively modifies the timbers molecular structure and opens the doors across the cell walls. (Figure 2)

13. Technology in a nutshell

14. Technology in a nutshell Diffusec is a water based solution containing a mix of bifluorides. This solution reacts with the cellulose and replaces water bonding groups with bifluoride groups. In this new structure water is free to readily move in and out of the timber. This allows the timber to readily equilibrate with the moisture content of exterior air that typically ranges from 12% to 18% moisture content. Infection by spores of wood rotting fungi does not occur at wood moisture contents below about 29%, but true dry rot fungus can possibly colonize wood down to 20% moisture contents, provided they are grown from a substrate at a higher moisture content. Once wood rotting fungi are established, the minimum moisture content for decay to proceed is around 22% – 24%, so 20% is frequently quoted as the maximum safe moisture content for wood. (Table 1)

16. Technology in a nutshell This process is unique in that, unlike other wood treatment processes that require toxic substances to repel wood rotting fungi, it simply denies wood rotting fungi one of their four basic requirements to sustain life. WATER Immediately following the immersion process the penetration of Diffusec in dry wood will be 1 mm, however after 1 day this reaction zone will increase to a depth of 12 mm. In green unseasoned timber the reaction zone after 1 day will be 40-70 mm. The Diffusec timber modification process is ideally suitable for coniferous timber species. Timber treated with Diffusec is environmentally friendly and not classified as a chemical waste product . It can therefore be disposed of in the same manner as untreated timber and even used for heating in open fire places.

17. Applications The applications for Diffusec Treated Timber are almost endless. Construction Framing Timber Rafters and Roof Trusses Interior and Exterior Cladding Interior and Exterior Joinery Decks and Pergolas Playground Equipment

18. Applications The applications for Diffusec Treated Timber is almost endless. Ground and Waterworks Wharfs and Jetties Retaining Walls Sheet piling Foundation Piles Bridges Guard Rails

19. Applications The applications for Diffusec Treated Timber is almost endless. Garden Exterior Furniture Timber Fences Trellises Garden Edging Rails and Posts

20. Applications The applications for Diffusec Treated Timber is almost endless. Agriculture and Horticulture Fence Battens and Posts Tree Stakes and Poles Vineyard Poles Cattle Yards Rails and Posts Gates

21. Applications With both the United States and European Union moving towards a total ban on the CCA treatment process and the New Zealand public’s resistance towards tanalised timber in general, the time for an environmentally non toxic alternative cannot be far off. Chemically treated wood, and especially CCA treated wood, is perceived as being hazardous and there are already at least two class-action law suits in the US over CCA treated timber. If these are the market perceptions, should the industry perhaps be putting more emphasis on environmentally friendly alternatives? While the New Zealand Building Act may initially restrict the use of Diffusec treated timber for construction purposes, the agricultural, horticultural and garden applications as listed above fall outside this legislation. By initially targeting these areas existing treatment plants will be well placed to capitalize on the as yet untapped organic, ”Green” market.

22. Environmental Friendly Diffusec is not classed as a dangerous or toxic substance and therefore minimizes compliance costs. Extensive European studies have shown that the fluoride contained in Diffusec does not leach into the surrounding environment. Diffusec timber is not harmful to the environment and waste timber can be disposed of in the same manner as untreated timber and even used for heating in open fire places. In contrast to the toxic copper, chrome and arsenic brews used in most impregnation treatment processes, Diffusec contains fluoride, an environmentally friendly non-metallic element.

23. Appendix

24. DIFFUSEC TREATED TIMBER IS THE FUTURE