Water repellency and dimensional stability of wood

Abstract

A discussion of the interaction between wood and water makes clear the distinction between water repellency of wood (a rate of change) and dimensional stability (a level of equilibrium). A review of methods of treating wood follows, leading to comparison of their effectiveness, description of test procedures to evaluate treatments, and discussion of deficiencies of the tests commonly used, first with regard to water repellency, then to dimensional stability, with final consideration of future research. Figures, numerous tables (introducing some new data), and an extensive bibliography illustrate the discussion.