Timber rail crosstie preservation

Abstract

A process for preserving timber rail crossties involves an initial treatment with an inorganic borate wood preservative, followed by encasement in multiple plastic sleeves. The chosen preservative is effective against various pests and has lower toxicity than traditional options like creosote and CCA, addressing health and environmental concerns. Although the preservative's water solubility raises potential leaching issues, these are mitigated by wrapping the treated crossties in several differentiated plastic layers. The inner layers adhere to the wood, while the outer layers interface with the smoother inner surfaces, enhancing durability and preventing preservative leaching. End caps at the crosstie ends may further seal the wood, creating a preservative reservoir for slow diffusion and allowing for periodic replenishment, which extends the crosstie's lifespan and maintains structural integrity through innovative design.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.