Wood stabilized: what is it and where is it applied?

Wood stabilized - a product obtained after a long and far from simple process of processing wood material. Stabilization is considered more art than handicraft, since the master has to apply all his experience, imagination and talent to produce a truly valuable specimen.

Solid wood with an amazing imagination is formed as a result of a long and laborious work. The resulting material serves as the basis for spectacular and unusual handles of knives, women's jewelry and various souvenirs. These products can be bought by paying a tidy sum, or done by yourself.

Why stabilize wood

Any tree, even such solid and noble breeds as oak or ash, sooner or later succumbs to various destructive factors. It abrasions, deforms, absorbs moisture or, on the contrary, withers. To extend the life of wooden products, they are covered with various impregnations, paints, emulsions and varnishes. These substances retain material, preventing premature wear and forming on its surface a dense protective layer.

Benefits of material processed

Wood stabilized does not require the application of any solutions, because it is thoroughly impregnated with special means. The stabilization technology provides for the filling of pores and cavities of raw materials with a preservative substance, which after hardening turns a tree into a material with completely new properties:

• High density, hardness and strength;
• Resistance to temperature changes and changes in humidity in the environment;
• Full immunity to ultraviolet rays;
• Ability for a short time to be in an open flame without loss of quality characteristics, changes in appearance and deformation;
• Impenetrability for any oil;
• Resistant to organic solvents.

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

Methods of stabilization (conservation) of wood

On a large scale, stabilized wood (a photo of its samples can be seen in the article) is produced at specialized woodworking enterprises. Workers in such shops use chemical solutions and impregnations of the required quality, in addition, they are able to organize and adhere to the correct technology.

The means that are used for the described process are:

• Oil (often linseed);
• Varnish;
• paint;
• Polymeric impregnation or resin.

The result of the work of professionals is not cheap, but wishing to get a product from such an unusual material, do not get upset. There are several ways in which home masters make a product similar to the factory one.

Stabilized wood with its own hands can be made from raw materials with a beautiful pattern of fibers and an explicit texture. The optimal variant is a drop of hardwood:

• Birch;
• Maple;
• Elm;
• Chestnut.

Cap is called a growth on branches, trunk or near the roots of trees, its fibers are closely intertwined with sleeping buds. Kapovaya wood is considered quite expensive material because of its density, rarity and beauty of the pattern.

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

What methods impregnate wood

After selecting the appropriate raw materials, the master proceeds directly to the impregnation step. Depending on the size and quality of the source material, as well as taking into account its capabilities and preferences, it chooses one of several ways:

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

Wood stabilized: completion of processing, polymerization

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

The result of the correct implementation of this stage is stabilized wood. With their own hands (the photo of the finished sample is placed in the article), the wood is processed, as a rule, by those masters who subsequently plan to sell the resulting material.

Often, these craftsmen are also engaged in the manufacture of exclusive wood products, which are excellent as gifts and souvenirs. The most commonly used stabilized wood for knives (handles), the case of lighters and handles, boxes, as well as a variety of jewelry (beads, bracelets, medallions).

How to stabilize wood with "Anacrol-90"

This impregnation is optimal for use at home, as it is fairly easy to find, and fluidity allows the composition to penetrate all pores of the billet. Some masters prefer to use epoxy, but this is more viscous and rather capricious. Successful application requires experience, patience, and adherence to technology. In addition, the resin can not be used in the processing of coniferous wood.

In order to carry out the preservation of the wood billet "Anacrolum 90", you should prepare such materials and tools:

• Wood;
• Impregnation;
• A vacuum installation (several large plastic containers, cranes, plastic pipes are needed for its collection);
• Vacuum pump;
• compressor;
• A device that determines the force of pressure (pressure gauge);
• Oven or aerogrill.

Small billets (about 3 cm thick) soak much faster and easier. At the beginning of stabilization, the tree must be dry.

How is wood preservation?

It should be noted that the use of a transparent solution emphasizes the natural beauty of the tree, and the use of pigments or colored impregnation types allows creating 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 the air out until the air bubbles are gone.
3. Allow impregnation to stand for about twenty minutes, after which an overpressure (2-4 atm) is created in the vessel. This procedure requires the use of a compressor and a pump.
4. After a half-hour break, repeat the process.

Completion of timber stabilization

To get really high-quality material, it is required to repeat the described procedure several times. The number of cycles depends on many factors (the size of the workpiece, the type of wood, the quality of wood). The master can determine the degree of readiness of the stabilized billet according to whether it drowns or floats up in solution. Impregnation was successful when the tree sank to the bottom.

Next, the workpiece is pulled out and dried in an oven or in an oven at a temperature of 100 degrees. To judge how dry the tree is, you can by looking at wet spots on its surface. When they are completely gone, drying can be stopped.

The processed wood becomes much more dense, which facilitates its polishing and forming of products.

Knowing how stabilized wood is made, what it is and for what purposes it is used, it is possible to engage in its independent manufacture.

This process is extremely exciting, it can please and surprise with its results the patient craftsman. Do not be afraid of failure, because, as they say, "the case of the master is afraid"!