Composition and method for maintaining wood railroad ties

Abstract

A composition and method for maintenance of railroad wood ties is presented herein. The wood filler composition is applicable for filling holes or gaps in wood to stabilize wood structures. The composition comprises at least unintahite, also known as asphaltum or Gilsonite, and sand. The composition may further comprise a water repellant and a wood preservative. The composition is non-carcinogenic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wood filler composition, the composition comprising:
 a) unintahite; and   b) sand.   
     
     
         2 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1  further comprising a water repellant. 
     
     
         3 . The wood filler composition of  claim 2 , wherein the water repellant is zinc. 
     
     
         4 . The wood filler composition of  claim 3 , wherein the zinc makes up at least 2% of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The wood filler composition of  claim 2 , wherein the water repellant is a zinc compound. 
     
     
         6 . The wood filler composition of  claim 5 , wherein the zinc compound makes up at least 1% of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The wood filler composition of  claim 6 , wherein the zinc compound is zinc borate. 
     
     
         8 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite is from the Uintah Basin. 
     
     
         9 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite makes up at least 15% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         10 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite makes up at least 20% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         11 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite makes up at least 25% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         12 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite makes up at least 30% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         13 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unintahite makes up at least 35% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         14 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1  further comprising a wood preservative. 
     
     
         15 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand makes up at least 40% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         16 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand makes up at least 60% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         17 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand makes up at least 70% of the wood filler composition. 
     
     
         18 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand comprises sand particles and the sand particles are angular in shape. 
     
     
         19 . The wood filler composition of  claim 1 , wherein a hardness of the sand on a Mohs' Hardness scale is at least 5. 
     
     
         20 . A wood filler composition, the wood filler composition comprising:
 a) Gilsonite;   b) sand;   c) a water repellant; and   d) a wood preservative.