Accretion coating and mineralization of materials for protection against biodegradation

A method of treating a wood structure to inhibit biodegradation, which comprises the steps of:

• inserting an electrically conductive element into the wood structure;
• disposing the wood structure in a volume of electrolyte;
• connecting said electrically conductive element to the negative potential terminal of a direct current electrical power supply, thereby making said element a cathode;
• disposing an anode in the electrolyte in proximity to the wood structure;
• connecting said anode to the positive potential terminal of the direct current electrical power supply;
• and
• establishing a direct electrical current between the cathode and the anode for a time sufficient for accreting a solid coating of a hard, high strength electrodeposited mineral material on the surfaces of the wood structure.

A method of protecting a wood piling against biofouling, comprising the steps of:

• inserting an electrically conductive element into a wood piling;
• disposing the wood piling in a volume of electrolyte;
• connecting said electrically conductive element to the negative potential terminal of a direct current electrical power supply, thereby making it a cathode;
• disposing an anode in the electrolyte in close proximity to the wood piling;
• connecting the anode to the positive potential terminal of a direct current electrical power supply;
• and
• establishing a direct electrical current between said electrodes for a time sufficient to accrete a coating of hard, strong minerals material on the surface of the wood piling.

A treated wood piling resistant to biofouling made by:

• inserting an electrically conductive element into the wood piling;
• disposing the wood piling in a volume of electrolyte;
• connecting said electrically conductive element to the negative potential terminal of a direct current electrical power supply, thereby making said element a cathode;
• disposing an anode in the electrolyte in proximity to the wood piling;
• connecting said anode to the positive potential terminal of the direct current electrical power supply;
• and
• establishing a direct electrical current between the cathode and the anode for a time sufficient for accreting a solid coating of a hard, high strength electrodeposited minerals material on the surfaces of the wood piling.