Borer-Resistant Wood, Wood Products, and Wooden Structures and Methods

Abstract

The invention provides methods for suppressing the degradation of wood, wood products, and wooden structures due to infestation by wood-boring organisms, by use of a polyurea composition. The invention also provides for wood, wood products, and wood structures that are resistant to degradation due to borer infestation by use of a polyurea composition.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A borer-resistant wood, wood product, or wooden structure comprising:
 a wood, wood product, or wooden structure having a one-part polyurea composition applied thereto in an amount effective to suppress degradation by a wood borer, wherein the one-part polyurea composition comprises:   (a) one or more compounds having Formula I:   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein j is an integer of 3 to 30 and R 1  is an unsubstituted homocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical or alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio or halogen substituted homocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical; 
       (b) an aromatic polyisocyanate, a polyurethane/urea prepolymer having aromatic isocyanate groups, or a combination thereof; and 
       (c) a protic acid or a salt thereof. 
     
   
   
       13 . The borer-resistant wood, wood product, or wooden structure of  claim 12 , wherein in the one-part polyurea composition, in element (a) R 1  comprises 4-methoxyphenyl and j ranges from 12 to 16, element (b) comprises an aromatic polyisocyanate, and element (c) comprises benzoic acid. 
   
   
       14 . The borer-resistant wood, wood product, or wooden structure of  claim 13 , wherein the one-part polyurea composition comprises about 75 to about 95% by weight of element (a), about 5 to about 25% by weight of element (b), and about 0.05 to about 5% by weight of element (c). 
   
   
       15 . The borer-resistant wood, wood product, or wooden structure of  claim 12 , wherein the wood, wood product, or wooden structure is a wood marine piling, and wherein the one-part polyurea composition is applied to the marine piling in an amount effective to suppress degradation of the piling by infestation from one or more marine borers. 
   
   
       16 . The borer-resistant wood, wood product, or wooden structure of  claim 15 , wherein the marine piling comprises a wood piling, a fabric in contact with the piling, and a one-part polyurea composition impregnated in the fabric and bonded to the piling in an amount effective to suppress degradation of the piling by infestation from the one or more marine borers. 
   
   
       17 . A borer-resistant marine piling apparatus comprising a wood marine piling and a protective member surrounding the piling which suppresses degradation of the piling by borers;
 wherein the protective member comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer composite surrounding the piling, defining an annular space between the composite and the piling, and a grouting material filling at least a portion of the annular space between the composite and the piling and   wherein the composite of the protective member comprises a fiber-reinforcement material and a resin material including a one-part polyurea composition comprising:   (a) one or more compounds having Formula I:   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein j is an integer of 3 to 30 and R 1  is unsubstituted homocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical or alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio or halogen substituted homocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical; 
       (b) an aromatic polyisocyanate, a polyurethane/urea prepolymer having aromatic isocyanate groups, or a combination thereof; and 
       (c) a protic acid or a salt thereof. 
     
   
   
       18 . The borer-resistant marine piling apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein in the one-part polyurea composition, in element (a) R 1  comprises 4-methoxyphenyl and j ranges from 12 to 16, element (b) comprises an aromatic polyisocanate, and element (c) comprises benzoic acid. 
   
   
       19 . The borer-resistant marine piling apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the fiber-reinforcement material comprises a woven fabric or a chopped strand mat. 
   
   
       20 . The borer-resistant marine piling apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the grouting material comprises cement-based underwater concrete or moist-cure expanding polyurethane.