Poplar plywood resistance to wood decay agents: efficacy of some protective treatments in the light of the standard ENV 12038

This work is a further contribution to the knowledge of the effects of fungal decay on poplar plywood potentially used in exposure conditions of high humidity. The influence of some surface and edge coatings on MUF glued panels, made of veneers of the poplar clone `I-214', has been evaluated against the attack of wood decay fungi, according to the test method provided by CEN/TC38, now ENV 12038. The residual bonding quality has also been verified (EN 314). All specimens showed a high level of biodegradation. The best protection system seems to be the combination of treating the surface and painting the edges of the panels, while the surface treatments alone were less effective. The article also points out that the test method used is not the most suitable for evaluating the biological durability of plywood, considering its real use in exterior conditions