The natural beauty and versatility of wood are fundamental to its universal popularity. When properties such as high strength, light weight and good insulation are required, wood becomes the ideal choice for many applications. Unfortunately, these compelling attributes are offset by the susceptibility of wood to many types of deterioration, particularly when used outdoors.
Historically, the use of inherently durable tropical hardwoods or the application of toxic chemicals to temperate-climate woods has provided partial solutions to these shortcomings. However, typical treatments, like metal salts, while enhancing durability do not improve wood’s dimensional stability.
Accoya® wood is a “new wood species”, whose performance credentials have been extensively researched and repeatedly demonstrated. Accoya® wood has properties that surpass those of the best tropical hardwoods, yet is manufactured using a non-toxic process and wood from certified sustainable sources.
Accoya® offers all of the following benefits:
- Swelling and shrinkage reduced by 75+%
- Doors and windows open effortlessly year round
- Paints and varnishes last 3-4 times longer, greatly reducing maintenance costs
- The most durable wood possible: 50+ years above ground and 25 years in-ground or fresh water
- More durable even than teak and other highly durable tropical hardwoods
- Perfect for outdoor use
- Accoya® wood is indigestible to insects and micro-organisms and is therefore more resistant to decay
- Resistance to wood destroying fungi is greatly improved
- Accoya® wood is virtually rot-proof
- Accoya® wood is easy to work with and creates no challenges for product manufacturers and end-users
- Most industry-standard adhesives and coatings work without issue
- The wood is modified to its core and every batch is thoroughly tested post-production
- Machining and drilling Accoya® does not impact its benefits in any way
- Accoya® wood is non-toxic, protecting the environment from the harmful effects of treatment poisons leaching into the earth
- Accoya® wood may be safely used and recycled
- Accoya® wood has superior resistance to the effects of UV exposure, meaning that the wood’s natural appearance is retained longer
- Accoya® is the ultimate substrate
- Wood has naturally low thermal conductivity
- Accoya® wood is ideal for windows and cladding, where energy conservation is important
- All Accoya® is produced from well managed, sustainable sources, including FSC, PEFC and other regionally certified woods
- The process does not compromise the wood’s strength or natural beauty
- Hardness is increased
- Accoya® wood’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes is suitable for challenging exterior applications including glulam beams.
Wood changes dimension with changing moisture content because the cell walls contain chemical groups called free hydroxyls that attract moisture through hydrogen bonding. Moisture swells the cell wall which expands until it is saturated with water. Moist wood is also an attractive medium for a wide range of fungi and pests. Wood exposed to moisture frequently is not at equilibrium, having wetter areas and drier areas within the same board. This exacerbates the moisture problem resulting in differential swelling followed by cracking and/or compression set. Over the long term, wood undergoes cyclic swelling and shrinking as moisture levels change resulting in more severe moisture effects than those encountered under steady moisture conditions.
The acetylation process, upon which the production of Accoya® wood is based, blocks this cyclical absorption. Acetylation effectively changes the free hydroxyls within the wood to stable acetyl groups. All woods naturally contain acetyl groups. In general, softwoods have an acetyl content between 0.5 and 1.5% and more durable hardwoods between 2.0 and 4.5%. Accoya® goes well beyond this with corresponding levels of benefits.
Accoya® is the material of choice for these products. Not only does it have low thermal conductivity but it is more durable and dimensionally stable than the best tropical hardwoods.
It can be opaque coated or, for those wishing to enjoy the natural look of wood, transparent coated. Accoya® wood’s low maintenance requirements add to its cost effectiveness and environmental credentials.
Accoya® is suitable for timber cladding, siding and facades where aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, dimensional stability and durability are key factors.
Accoya® has been used for a wide variety of decking applications, often in very harsh environments and in constant contact with water. Long-term safety, appearance and cost effectiveness are all improved.
Dimensional stability and long coatings life, despite constant exposure and minimal support, are not a problem with Accoya®.
Accoya® is already being used for many new and exciting applications including exterior glulam beams for bridges. Imagine Accoya® used in boat decks and trimmings, tree houses, noise barriers, furniture, musical instruments, signage, veneers, high durability particleboards and fiberboards.
Accoya® the future of wood
Titan Wood Ltd.
5000 Quorum Dr., Ste. 310
Dallas, TX 75254
Phone: 972-233-6565
Fax: 972-233-6568
Website: www.accoya.info
E-Mail: info@accoya.info
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