Stabilization of wood with drying oil. Stabilization of wood at home: compositions, technology. Stabilization with epoxy resin

Stabilized wood is a product obtained after a long and far from simple process processing wood material. Stabilization is considered more of an art than a craft, since the master has to apply all his experience, imagination and talent to make a truly valuable sample.

Solid wood with an amazingly beautiful pattern is formed as a result of long and painstaking work. The resulting material serves as the basis for spectacular and unusual knife handles, women's jewelry and various souvenirs. These products can be purchased by paying a tidy sum, or you can make them yourself.

Why is wood stabilized?

Any tree, even such durable and noble species as oak or ash, sooner or later succumbs to the influence of various destructive factors. It wears out, becomes deformed, absorbs moisture or, conversely, dries out. To extend service life wooden products, they are coated with various impregnations, paints, emulsions and varnishes. These substances preserve the material, preventing premature wear and forming a dense protective layer on its surface.

Benefits of processed material

Stabilized wood does not require the application of any solutions, because it is thoroughly impregnated by special means. Stabilization technology involves filling the pores and cavities of the raw material with a preservative substance, which, after hardening, turns the wood into a material with completely new properties:

• high density, hardness and strength;
• resistance to temperature changes and changes in humidity in the environment;
• complete immunity to ultraviolet rays;
• the ability to remain in an open flame for a short time without loss quality characteristics, changes in appearance and deformation;
• impermeable to any oil;
• resistance to organic solvents.

In addition to all of the above, stabilized wood is extremely beautiful. Transparent or colored impregnation emphasizes the natural pattern of wood fibers, sometimes creating incredible and magnificent patterns. The resulting material can be processed either manually or mechanically.

Methods of wood stabilization (preservation)

On a large scale, stabilized wood (you can see photos of its samples in the article) is produced in specialized workshops. Workers in such workshops use chemical solutions and impregnations required quality, in addition, they have access to organization and adherence to the correct technology.

The means used for the described process are:

• oil (often linseed);
• dye;
• polymer impregnation or resin.

The result of the work of professionals is not cheap, but those who want to receive a product from such unusual material, don't be upset. There are several methods that home craftsmen use to make a product similar to the factory one.

DIY stabilized wood can be made from raw materials with beautiful grain patterns and distinct texture. The best option the burl of deciduous wood protrudes:

• birch;
• maple;
• elm;
• chestnut

Burl is a growth on the branches, trunk or near the roots of trees; its fibers are closely intertwined with dormant buds. Burl wood is considered a rather expensive material due to its density, rarity and beautiful design.

Stabilized wood is produced at home in compliance with the required temperature conditions, vacuum and a certain level of pressure.

How to impregnate wood

After selecting suitable raw materials, the master proceeds directly to the impregnation stage. Depending on size and quality source material, and also taking into account his capabilities and preferences, he chooses one of several methods:

1. Thin workpieces can be impregnated at a fairly low temperature (cold impregnation).
2. Hot impregnation. It consists of soaking or cooking the workpiece in special solutions. When hot, their consistency becomes more liquid, which helps the substance penetrate into the fibers.
3. Using a vacuum chamber (evacuating air from wood cavities). This makes it easy to fill the vacated capillaries and pores with an impregnating composition.
4. Creating excess pressure in the chamber where a container with solution and wood was previously placed. The process provokes the release of air from the fibers and the replacement of the vacated space with impregnation.

Stabilized wood: completion of processing, polymerization

The workpiece is polymerized by drying. Some types of compositions can be self-hardening, others must be subjected to intensive drying during high temperature. Polymerized wood gains additional weight, new color and properties.

The result correct execution This stage becomes stabilized wood. Do it yourself (photo finished sample posted in the article) wood is processed, as a rule, by those craftsmen who subsequently plan to sell the resulting material.

Often these craftsmen are engaged in the manufacture of exclusive wooden products, which are excellent as gifts and souvenirs. Stabilized wood is most often used for knives (handles), lighter bodies and pens, jewelry boxes, as well as various jewelry (beads, bracelets, medallions).

How to stabilize wood with Anacrol-90

This impregnation is optimal for use at home, as it is quite easy to find, and its fluidity allows the composition to penetrate into all pores of the workpiece. Some masters prefer to use it, but this is a more viscous and rather capricious product. Its successful application requires experience, patience and adherence to technology. In addition, the resin cannot be used in wood processing coniferous species.

To carry out conservation wooden blank“Anakrol 90”, you should prepare the following materials and tools:

• wood;
• impregnation;
• vacuum installation (to assemble it you need several large plastic containers, taps, plastic tubes);
• vacuum pump;
• compressor;
• a device that determines the force of pressure (pressure gauge);
• oven or air fryer.

Small workpieces (about 3 cm thick) are much faster and easier to impregnate. The tree should be dry before stabilization begins.

How does wood conservation work?

It should be noted that the use of a clear solution emphasizes natural beauty wood, and the use of pigments or colored impregnations allows you to create a unique and unique pattern.

Sequence of work:

1. The tree is placed in a container with a solution, making sure that the liquid completely covers the workpiece.
2. Pump out the air until the air bubbles disappear.
3. The impregnation is allowed to stand for about twenty minutes, after which it is created in a container (2-4 atm). This procedure requires the use of a compressor and pump.
4. After a half-hour break, the process is repeated.

Completion of wood stabilization

To really get quality material, you need to repeat the described procedure several times. The number of cycles depends on many factors (size of workpiece, type of wood, quality of wood). The master can determine the degree of readiness of the stabilized workpiece by whether it sinks or floats in the solution. The impregnation was successful when the tree sank to the bottom.

Next, the workpiece is pulled out and dried in an oven or oven at a temperature of 100 degrees. You can judge how dry a tree is by looking at the wet spots on its surface. When there are no more of them left, you can stop drying.

Treated wood becomes much denser, making it easier to polish and shape into pieces.

Knowing how stabilized wood is made, what it is and for what purposes it is used, you can start making it yourself.

This process is extremely exciting; it can please and surprise the patient craftsman with its results. There is no need to be afraid of failure, because, as they say, “the master’s work is feared”!

To work with wood, a carpenter uses his hands and equipment. Even if the craftsman has enough experience, unprepared wood can ruin all efforts. This indicates the need to stabilize the material. If you do not expose it to such influence, the structure may dry out and warp.

Working with soft varieties according to the type of aspen, linden and pine, you will notice that this requirement is not so critical, since they are not used for critical structural elements. But a cracked window casing or a dried out spoon can still ruin your mood.

Making chairs and kitchen fronts, such wood is rarely used. The issue of material predictability finished product important for carpenters. To prevent cracking and warping, there are methods, one of which is stabilization.

Technologies can be different, some are complex, others are simple, and others are completely high-tech. Today it is common to use concentrated acids and apply heat and pressure to the wood. This is difficult to do at home.

But if you do not intend to retreat from the idea, then you can pay attention to the Solovetsky Monastery, which has stood for several centuries. Some elements of the building have not been affected by time. Decorative details, roofing and steps do not violate the idea of ​​​​the durability of wood. The secret is the salt. To stabilize wood at home, you will need to prepare a hotplate and a bucket.

Using salt for stabilization

To prevent cracking and warping of wood, you need to prepare a tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water. Some masters use different concentrations. The wood will need to be boiled in salt water until the active release of foam stops. This will indicate that the material is ready.

Stabilizing wood at home at the next stage involves drying the workpieces. They must be removed from the liquid and left at room temperature. If there is a stove, then the elements can be placed on top of the firebox. In just three days you will receive stabilized material.

Some craftsmen claim that the cherries will need to be dried for a very long time, sometimes this process takes up to 2 years. By appearance stabilized wood and regular wood will be different. The part that was in the brine will darken a little. You can scrape and sand the surface. Color shades can be aligned. Wood sometimes takes on a pearlescent tint.

What happens during stabilization

After reviewing the information above, you were able to understand that the external appearance of the material changes after stabilization. If you are interested in what processes occur inside, then you can remember that wood is a mixture of ether-containing components, lignin and cellulose.

The first component of coniferous species is resin. Rosin and turpentine are made from it. As for grenadil, this ingredient makes up an oil with a specific taste and smell. If you want to understand why the material “relaxes” after stabilizing wood at home, you can imagine cellulose as reinforcement, while lignin becomes concrete.

Exposure to temperature will destroy the bond between these materials, as a result of which reinforced concrete becomes plastic. Internal tension will be relieved. Salt plays a rather important role in this. It makes the boiling point above 100 °C, which is enough to destroy the cell membranes of wood.

Main goals of stabilization

Stabilizing wood at home may be necessary to speed up drying many times over. This distinguishes the process from the natural one. Using this technique allows you to eliminate warping and eliminate cracks during and after drying. Wood acquires antiseptic properties and becomes more durable.

Description of the impregnating composition "ANACROL"

If you are looking for a substance for stabilization, then you should consider Anacrol-90. It is an impregnation mixture made from dimethacrylic polyester, which cures into a thermosetting polymer at a temperature of 95 °C.

The material is resistant to impact chemicals by type:

· alkalis;

· alcohols;

· antifreeze;

· petroleum products;

· transmission oils;

· dissolving salts;

· acid solutions;

· freons.

The main area of ​​application of Anacrol-90 is the elimination of corrosion, sealing in micropores and microcracks of porous structures. The composition is compatible with sealing technologies, wet and dry vacuum, wet vacuum-pressure and dry vacuum-pressure methods. The size of microdefects can reach 0.1 mm.

The mixture includes a latent polymerization initiator, so chemical properties stable at long-term storage. The impregnation process can be easily controlled. Its duration and curing time are minimal. Stabilized wood can be subjected to hydro- and pneumatic tests, as well as pressure testing.

The composition is removed from the surface by washing in water. On environment it has no harmful effects. Wastewater is decomposed in biological treatment plants. In order to obtain stabilized wood, you will need to consume 3.5 g per kilogram of material, which is slightly more compared to the consumption liquid glass. Polymerization is non-shrinking, this guarantees high-quality sealing for the entire service life of the product.

Properties of liquid material

The chemical base is dimethacrylic polyester. Specific gravity reaches 1.10 g/cm³. In appearance, Anacrol is a mobile liquid that can have colors from light yellow to brown. Dynamic viscosity can be 15 mPa*s. Typical curing time at 95°C is 8 minutes.

Properties of the cured material

The cured material can be used in air at temperatures from -60 to +180 °C. Short-term exposure to temperatures can reach 200 °C. Without oxygen, the temperature range expands and ranges from -60 to +250 °C.

Instructions for use

The stabilization process with the substance described above includes two stages: impregnation and heat treatment. The impregnation method is selected depending on the type of wood you will be working with. The most accessible and simple technology is natural impregnation. The bars are immersed in a container with a substance, and the effect is carried out naturally due to the capillary effect.

Stabilization of wood with Anacrol at this stage takes up to 2 weeks. The tree stops absorbing the substance, after which the finished bars sink. It is recommended to monitor absorption using a scale, as some samples may not sink due to physical properties or the presence of closed pores. During this time, almost any tree will be soaked to its full depth.

Wood stabilization liquid can also be used for vacuum impregnation. A special camera is used for this. The bars are completely immersed in a container, which is sent to the chamber. Air is pumped out of it. Due to the abundance of oxygen coming out of the bars, the composition begins to boil. The process ends, and then the products are kept in this state for about 60 minutes. After returning atmospheric pressure The block is not removed, but remains in the liquid for another day.

Using birch sap

Stabilizing wood with birch sap is also quite popular. The technology remains almost unchanged. The composition must act on the material in a vacuum, and then the workpieces are exposed to a temperature of 90 °C. According to the principle of imported branded stabilizers, the substance is mixed with dyes. The composition is transparent. It is easy to dilute it with pigments that hardly change color.

Application of polymers

Buravit Expert acts as polymers for stabilizing wood. This one-component substance eliminates problems with dosing and mixing the activator. The composition is characterized by high penetrating abilities. After baking, it becomes harder and denser, allowing the stabilized bars to reduce moisture absorption.

“Buravit” for stabilizing wood has a transparent color. Its viscosity and density can be compared with the density and viscosity of water. The polymerization temperature reaches 90 °C. In the process, it becomes harder and denser. You can use the substance at home. It contains optical additives that highlight the structure of wood.

In conclusion

Wood without stabilization can change its structure and color over time, warp and become cracked. If you use it for interior decoration, this question is especially relevant. You can purchase stabilized material in the store, but it is much more expensive than regular, untreated material.

If you want to reduce drying time, stabilization is especially recommended. You can carry out such work yourself. For this purpose, the market today offers many solutions, among them various polymers and mixtures such as Anacrol-90 should be highlighted.

Anacrol-90, is an impregnating composition based on dimethacrylic polyester, which at a temperature of (95±5) ºС quickly polymerizes to form a thermosetting polymer. This composition was developed to seal micropores and microcracks, preventing internal corrosion in products made of ferrous and non-ferrous metals produced by casting or powder metallurgy. At the same time sealing process occurs inside metals, no film is formed on their surface; excess composition is removed by dipping into water (15-25 ºС).

However, high penetrating ability, non-shrinkage polymerization and the final properties of the resulting polymer, namely its high strength and chemical resistance, combined with operating temperatures from -60 ºС to +180 ºС, made it very interesting to use Anacrol-90 and for wood stabilization/preservation.

Stabilized wood

Stabilized wood, in itself, is very interesting material. Processed Anacrol-90 wooden blanks become an order of magnitude more durable (they withstand dynamic loads well), resistant to various biological damage, moisture resistant, insensitive to ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes, and most importantly... acquire a completely different appearance. By stabilizing wood, you not only improve its physical and chemical properties, making it much more durable, but you highlight and emphasize the structure of the tree itself, its unique beauty, which people love and appreciate so much. You can enhance the effect obtained by using dyes of various colors, which will make your product more unique and attractive.

An undoubted advantage of stabilized wood is that many soft woods, which are not suitable for many types of processing, but at the same time have unusual beautiful drawing and texture, after stabilization they become hard and suitable for creativity.

Also, stabilized wood is perfectly processed: there will be no chips, cracks, delaminations, and when polished there will be no “hairiness”. And, of course, the high quality of the “gloss” that appears during grinding and polishing.

And most importantly, stabilized Anacrol-90 the wood feels like it remains the same wood, and not a piece of “frozen” polymer.

Methods for stabilizing wood with Anacrol-90

Wood stabilization process Anacrol-90,includes two stages: impregnation and subsequent heat treatment. Now, in more detail about each of them.

*The information provided below is the generalized experience of people who have been impregnating wood for many years, have achieved excellent results and shared their experience on the forums: http://popgun.ru and http://forum.guns.ru.

Requirements for workpieces for stabilization

Before moving on to the description of the stabilization process, let me remind you of the requirements that must be placed on wooden blanks in order to obtain a high-quality result. The impregnation process is the process of penetration of the solution (in our case Anacrol®-90) into the pores of the material, respectively, if the pores are “closed” (with water, resins, salts), the composition will not penetrate into them, and if they are too large (about 0.5 mm), then it will not “stay” there.

The main requirement: the tree must be as dry as possible. The recommended thickness of the bars is no more than 40mm.

Impregnation

The impregnation method can be chosen depending on what kind of wood you will be working with and how much time you have to process it. There are three ways in total, let's start with the simplest and most accessible.

"Natural impregnation"- in this case, blocks of wood (Karelian birch, bog oak, porous cap, etc.) are immersed in a container with Anacrol®-90(entirely, for this you can use a “weight”), while impregnation is carried out naturally, thanks to the capillary effect. The process takes 1.5-2 weeks, the tree stops absorbing the composition and the “ready” bars sink. However, it is better to monitor “absorption” using scales, since some samples may not “sink” due to the physical properties of the tree itself or the presence large quantity"closed" pores. During the specified time, almost any tree is soaked to its full depth.

The undoubted advantages in this case are the simplicity of the process and the almost complete absence of equipment costs, the disadvantage is the impregnation time.

"Vacuum impregnation"- for this impregnation method you will need a vacuum chamber (we will consider its options below). The wood blocks are completely immersed in a container with Anacrol®-90 and placed in a vacuum chamber. Next, we pump out the air, and the composition, due to the abundance of air escaping from the bar, begins to “boil.” We wait for the end of the “boiling” process, after which, in a vacuum, we keep the block for another 30-60 minutes. We return atmospheric pressure and, without removing the block, keep it in Anacrol-90 another day.

The impregnation time is reduced to one day, while the requirements for the vacuum installation are not high, as are the costs for it, however, best result, gives the following method.

"Vacuum impregnation using excess pressure"- this method, due to the initial costs of a vacuum installation, is the most expensive, but allows you to quickly and efficiently obtain stabilized wood, even “hard” wood. So:

1) Wood blocks are completely immersed in a container with Anacrol-90 and placed in a vacuum chamber.
2) We pump out the air (residual pressure is about 0.015-0.025 atm), the composition begins to “boil”
3) We wait for the end of the “boiling” process and keep the bars for 15-30 minutes.
4) We reset the vacuum to atmospheric pressure, after which we create overpressure(about 4-5 atm.)
5) Wait for 30 minutes and release the pressure to atmospheric pressure.
6) Repeat points 2 to 5 two to three times.
7) We control (by weighing) the impregnation of the bar (often it simply “sinks”).

Important! After impregnation, do not remove excess solution with a rag, napkin, etc., Anacrol-90 has a high penetrating ability, therefore, when you try to wipe it, it will “go” into rags.

And don’t forget, initially, the composition was developed for impregnating metal, which allows (if necessary) to process assembled metal/wood products (the same knives). Excess composition is removed from the metal surface by dipping into water (15-25 ºС).

Curing of the compositionANACROL-90 (heat treatment)

Heat treatment of workpieces can be carried out in two ways:

1) In boiling water(or industrial oil) - the impregnated blanks are tightly wrapped in stretch film (cling film) and placed in hot (boiling) water (95±5) ºС, where they are kept for about 1-2 hours (for metal products: 20-30 minutes, without film).
2) In the drying chamber(for example: oven, oven) - the impregnated workpieces are placed in an oven heated to 120-140 ºС. Highly porous (loose) wood must be wrapped, for example, in a baking bag, this procedure needed to prevent leakage Anacrol-90. Drying lasts from 2 to 4 hours, the process ends when the wood stops “hovering” and there are no wet spots.

Important! If the temperature regime is violated (for example: the workpieces were placed in an oven heated to 90-95 ºС), the polymerization process will not occur properly, the composition will be like “rubber”. If you try to correct the situation in the future and subject the workpieces to repeated heat treatment, this will lead to nothing, the composition will remain the same.

Application of dyes

For coloring Anacrol-90, fat-soluble dyes are used (in our company you can purchase dyes in five colors: red, yellow, green, blue, black). To obtain other colors, it is recommended to mix the dyes until dissolved in the composition.

• Dosage of dyes approximately (0.001 - 0.1) g per 1 kg Anacrol-90, no more, otherwise the whole mass will be dark and not piercing with light!
• For testing, you can add dye to the tip of a knife the size of half a pin's head.
• Add the selected dye to the desired saturation in portions of 0.01 g of dye per 1 kg Anacrol-90.
• Mix with a drill and attachment for at least 5-10 minutes after each addition of dye.
• Dyes can be mixed with each other to obtain the desired shade.
• When packing and mixing the dye, wear gloves, goggles and a respirator!
• Harmful for breathing, avoid drafts (so as not to scatter throughout the room)!
• It is almost impossible to remove dyes from clothes!
• You can wash your hands and face with alcohol or acetone.
• Store the dye in a closed plastic bag without access to air (to prevent moisture from entering) at normal temperature.

Important! The amount of dye added affects the stabilization process; the more dye added, the higher the temperature in the drying chamber should be.

Vacuum installation options

In this section we will touch on the options homemade installations for impregnation of wood using vacuum and excess pressure.

The simplest, most accessible and inexpensive way would be to purchase, for example, the following kit:

SLUM (a jar with a lid from the IKEA store) and the VAKS system (vacuum canning device), which includes: a pump for vacuum canning NVR-3 and lids KVK-82. Can price, per at the moment, is about 150 rubles and, somewhere, 350 rubles - the VAKS system.

To create a vacuum, you can use a special container: a desiccator (with a tap). The price (depending on the manufacturer, material, size) varies from 1500 to 13000 rubles.

The next most popular are AQUAPHOR filter housings. The design of the housing allows you to create both vacuum and excess pressure without any modifications. The wiring in their upper part is “ideal” for this. The price, depending on the size, varies from 5,000 to 11,000 rubles. However, the housing is only part of the installation. To create a vacuum and excess pressure you will need: a vacuum pump, a compressor and a body kit (fittings, hoses), as well as devices for monitoring pressure (for example: RGGL pressure and vacuum gauge).

Vacuum pumps- there are many options here, as budget ones we can offer the following: vacuum pump Z 1.2 B Mini (VPBW-1S) - price from 1500 rubles; vacuum pump Z-1.5 (VPA 115) - price from 2200 rubles; vacuum pump VE115N (product: VALUE) - price from 3200 rub.

Compressor- you can use car ones (Vitol KA-U12050 "Hurricane" - price from 1200 rubles; Kachok K90 N - price from 1500 rubles, etc.), however, to connect them to a 220V network you will need one more device: a Dayton 220V - 12V converter with a cigarette lighter socket 15A (price about 4000 rubles

If you want to save (including on electricity), then you can use it as a universal device (replaces both a vacuum pump and a compressor). Komovsky vacuum pump- this device can still be found on sale, the price starts from 4000 rubles. This device allows us to create vacuum and excess pressure exactly in the range we require.

Examples already assembled installations can be viewed on the forums http://popgun.ru (in the topics: “wood stabilization option”, “and again stabilization/drying wood”)

Important! For more economical use of the impregnating composition Anacrol®-90, as well as in order to increase the service life of the housings of your installations (for example, plastic filter housings are destroyed upon contact with Anacrol®-90) we recommend using additional containers (for example: plastic bottles from drinking water). These containers are filled with Anacrol®-90, wooden blanks are stacked, after which they are placed in a vacuum chamber.

We did not consider options for using industrial installations, since, firstly, they have a fairly high price (a vacuum chamber costs about 60,000 rubles, a pump-compressor - from 20,000 rubles) and secondly, it’s all the same to use this equipment for stabilization wood, it will need to be modified.

Anacrol-90. Storage conditions. Security requirements.

Storage

Anacrol-90, to prevent spontaneous polymerization, it is necessary to store without access to sunlight, at a temperature from +5 ºС to +25 ºС (short-term, up to +35 ºС).

Temperature during transportation: from -40 ºС to +35 ºС.

During storage, contact is not allowed Anacrol-90 with metals or particles of metals or alloys getting into the manufacturer’s containers with the impregnating composition. Anacrol-90, poured into a working container or container during use, must be stored separately, because when it is poured back into the manufacturer's container, dirt may enter it and a polymer may form, which will make the composition unsuitable for further use. Warranty period storage - 1 year.

Security requirements

During storage and operation, the composition Anacrol-90 does not emit harmful substances in concentrations dangerous to the human body. In accordance with the classification according to GOST 12.1.007, the impregnating composition Anacrol-90 belongs to low-hazardous substances of class 4.

Anacrol-90 not explosive, but it burns when introduced into a fire source. Near the place of work with Anacrol-90 The presence of open flames and sources of sparking is not allowed. Work must be organized in accordance with the requirements fire safety according to GOST 12.1.004 and PPB 01-03.

Fire extinguishing media: air-mechanical foam, carbon dioxide, powders or sand. It is not recommended to use water-foaming agents and water. When extinguishing large spills, use foam, PSB-3 powder; for small lesions - carbon dioxide, PSB powder.

Renderingfirst aid in emergency situations

After inhalation exposure Anacrol-90 - fresh air, peace, warmth.

For oral exposure (ingestion): drink plenty of water, activated carbon, saline laxative. In case of contact with skin or eyes, remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, and rinse eyes a large number water. In all cases, further seek medical help.

P. S.

I would like to add that in order to obtain a high-quality and stable result, it is necessary to follow the stabilization technology, and everything is important here: what type of wood you impregnate, the size of the workpieces and their quality, the amount of added dye, the time and conditions of impregnation, temperature conditions, subsequent grinding and polishing.

These are subtleties, but they are usually kept secret; they are what ensure high-quality results.

Good luck to you in your exciting business!

Wood stabilization (wood preservation, wood polymerization) is the process of impregnation of wood, in which all capillaries, fibers and voids of this material are freed from air and moisture, filled with compositions for stabilizing wood. Stabilized wood is very durable and beautiful.

Wood stabilization is a process that requires time and money. It is used mainly for making handles of exclusive knives, as well as for decorative items. Due to the high cost, stabilized wood is not produced in industrial scale, and highly specialized craftsmen keep the recipes for stabilizing wood a secret. And yet, a “no problem” device for this process can be made at home. Let's figure out how to stabilize wood with your own hands.

Wood stabilization: goals and materials

After treatment with wood stabilizing compounds, this material becomes:

More dense, harder, wear-resistant;

Insensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, to the effects of ultraviolet radiation;

Impervious to oils;

Capable of withstanding open fire heat up to 250 degrees Celsius;

Easy to process mechanically or manually;

Unaffected by organic solvents;

Very beautiful. The wood texture is more pronounced. If desired, you can add dyes or fat-soluble pigments.

Stabilized wood is impregnated with the composition and dye throughout its entire thickness, that is, inside. As a result, we get very beautiful material, which is more similar in properties and appearance to polymer, but if you touch stabilized wood, it will turn out to be “alive”, “warm”.

When stabilizing wood with coloring pigments, the wood is stained and stabilized right through

The most popular stabilization of wood, fruit trees, as well as maple, elm, birch, and chestnut. In general, they take wood with a fine, pronounced texture and tints.

What could be the composition for stabilizing wood?

Anacrol 90

- all kinds of oils– flax, nut, poppy, hemp, acacia and any others that can harden, that is, polymerize

Impregnation of wood with wax

Impregnation with various artificial compounds that harden when dry - liquid plastics, epoxy resin and other impregnations.

Stabilizing wood at home: basic methods

The entire wood conservation process consists of two stages - impregnation and polymerization. Wood can be impregnated for stabilization using different methods:

- Stabilization of wood using the vacuum method. Air is pumped out from the container in which the wooden blank for preservation is located. At the same time, air is extracted and removed from the pores and voids of the wood itself. After this, a solution is poured into the chamber to stabilize the wood, filling the freed capillaries and pores. (You can read more about vacuum impregnation of wood).

- Stabilization of wood under excess pressure. For this method, a wood stabilizing compound is poured into a container and the wood is placed in it. Then the container is placed in the chamber and created in it high blood pressure. Thus, the air leaves the pores and capillaries of the wood, and a solution takes its place.

-Stabilization of wood by cooking in compositions or keeping in hot compositions. The essence of the method is that when hot, the composition for stabilizing the wood becomes more fluid, and therefore it saturates the wood more easily and deeply.

Suitable for very thin workpieces cold impregnation, that is, holding the workpiece long time in a cold solution for stabilization.

But it is not enough to extract air and moisture from the wood by saturating it with Anacrol or oil. involves a polymerization process, for which the processed workpiece is either dried in a dark place for a long time, or dried in a stove, oven, or additionally boiled.

Wood stabilization with Anacrol 90

Anacrol 90 is a fluid liquid brown, hardening at a temperature of 90 degrees. If desired, you can purchase colored Anacrol 90 or add a coloring pigment. For stabilization, you should take well-dried wood no thicker than 3 cm.

Before you stabilize wood at home, you should assemble a vacuum installation. It will consist of an iron flask, plumbing pipes, taps, fittings, a pressure gauge, a household vacuum pump, a compressor and a device for drying treated wood (air grill, oven).

The process of preserving wood with Anacrol 90 begins with placing a wooden blank into a flask. Anacrol 90 is poured into the flask so as to cover the workpiece. We create a vacuum and hold it until air bubbles stop escaping from the wood. We leave the cobble alone for half an hour, no more, after which we apply an excess pressure of 2-4 atmospheres with the compressor. Let stand for about half an hour. We repeat the whole process again until the wood impregnated with Anacrol 90 begins to sink.

Let's begin the process of wood polymerization. Place the soaked pieces in a convection oven or oven at a temperature of 100 degrees for 2-3 hours. Drying can be completed when there are no wet spots left on the stabilized wood and it stops releasing moisture.

After stabilization, the wood can be sharpened, planed, or processed with hand tools very well.

Since stabilizing wood is not an easy process, we bring to your attention videos that can help you in your work.

Tatyana Kuzmenko, member of the editorial board, correspondent of the online publication "AtmWood. Wood-Industrial Bulletin"

How to stabilize wood aslan wrote in July 25th, 2018

Today I would like to show you how we stabilize wood in two colors.

All stabilization equipment can be purchased from the Chinese.

We will need:

1) Vacuum chamber with lid

2) Vacuum pump

3) And the polymer itself for stabilization, we use anacrol + dyes

We will stabilize it in two colors - blue and red. Pour anacrol into the container and add red dye. For 1 liter of anacrol you need 10 grams of dye. Mix everything thoroughly.

Then we completely place the block in the liquid so that it does not float up, you can press it down with a weight. We turn on the vacuum pump and create a vacuum in the chamber to release air from the bar and fill it with anacrol.

Since we are stabilizing in two colors, first we need to soak the bar in red anacrol for about half, this is 30 minutes.
While the bar is soaking, we take another container, pour anacrol and add blue dye. Stir also thoroughly.

After 30 minutes, turn off the vacuum pump, restore the pressure in the chamber and take out the bar, wipe it and place it in another container with blue anacrol. We turn on the vacuum pump again and now wait an hour and a half for the block to be completely soaked.
After an hour and a half, turn off the vacuum pump and check the bar; if it sinks in the liquid and does not float up, then everything worked out and the bar is completely saturated. If the bar floats, then we leave it in the liquid overnight; there is no need to turn on the vacuum pump, let it soak on its own.

When the block stops floating, take it out and wrap it in cling film.
Anacrol hardens at 90-100 degrees; the polymerization process can be carried out in an electric oven, oven or in boiling water. I cook bars.
Bring the water to a boil and place the bar in it, cook for 40 minutes.

After that, we remove the film, sand it to remove excess anacrol, sand it, and this is what we get in the end:

And here’s what it looks like as a knife handle after polishing: