Soybean oil impregnation wood preservative process and products

Abstract

A process for treating wood and wood products is disclosed. Wood is impregnated under pressure with soybean oil or a mixture of vegetable oils with soybean oil, which oil is caused to polymerize within the wood. The polymerized oil is effectively fixed within the wood. The oil may be treated in advance of impregnation to initiate polymerization. Further, the wood may be surface treated with a more fully polymerized coating of oil. Pressure and vacuum may be applied in selected sequence to promote impregnation, and heat, blowing air, oxygen, Ultraviolet light, and other agents may be employed to promote polymerization of the treated wood within the pressure chamber during the impregnation process or outside of the pressure chamber after impregnation. Additional additives may be used to prevent pest infestations and the growth of fungi or to promote the migration of the oil into the wood.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.