A Tensile Strength Test for Comparative Evaluation of Wood Preservatives

A modification of the soil block test for evaluating the effectiveness of a wood preservative consists of using a 5-inch-long test specimen cut from veneer strips, treated to varying absorption levels, and incubated in a specially designed soil chamber, 9 inches long. For l/16-inch thick ponderosa Pine exposed to Lenzites trabea, a period of 10 to 15 days of incubation is effective for weathered specimens. After exposure, the specimens are conditioned to a given EMC and tested in tension parallel to the grain. The tensile stress is an indicator of the comparative toxicity and effectiveness of the treatment. This procedure is said to be very sensitive to low levels of wood deterioration and can be considered an accurate comparison of preservatives in a period of 1 to 2 months, compared to the 4 to 5 months required in the ASTM soil block procedure.

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