Determination of the natural durability of solid wood against wood-destroying fungi: a European round-robin test

Abstract

In Europe the durability of wood against wood-destroying basidiomycetes is tested according to CEN/TS 15083-1 (2005). Hitherto existing experience with this standard is quite heterogeneous and results from previous round-robin tests have stayed unreported or have been reported incompletely. In particular the need for natural pre-weathering of the test specimens to allow potential detoxification of the material is discussed in-depth. Six European research institutions teamed up and established a new round-robin trial. The durability of Scots pine sap- and heartwood (Pinus sylvestris L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), English oak (Quercus robur L.) and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) against Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor have been evaluated without any pre-treatment, with pre-leaching (EN 84) and with 6 months natural weathering of the specimens. The durability classification revealed significant differences between test laboratories (up to four durability classes). Furthermore durability was depending on the pre-treatment and the respective statistical measures used. Natural pre-weathering led to an aligned durability classification between some test laboratories, but with some exceptions. A general conclusion about the impact of a pre-treatment on the durability classification was not achieved, wherefore it was neither urgently recommended nor disapproved