The use of flame ionisation technology to improve the wettability and adhesion properties of wood

Flame ionisation technology has been used in an attempt to enhance the performance of exterior surface coatings with timber through an improvement in the wettability of the wood. Preliminary surface energy data indicate that total surface energy values can indeed be improved by an increase in the polar component of the energy. Flame treatment is not affected by surface preparation prior to treatment, although the response of the surface may be influenced by the amount of polar extractives in the timber.