PREDICTING BORON DIFFUSION IN WOOD FROM SURFACE SORPTION

Constant radial diffusion coefficients of boron through southern pine (Pinus spp.) were determined from the total amount of boron diffusing through wood and the amount of boron remaining on the wood surface after different diffusion periods. The concentration profiles of the treated samples were measured using a slicing technique. Another coefficient representing the effect unexplained by the diffusion coefficients at the given conditions was calculated by comparing the real values of boron concentration through the wood with the predicted values calculated using the diffusion coeftcients. This method shows a potential way to easily predict the boron diffusion coeftcients for dip-diffusion treatment. If the coefficients represent the difference among species characteristics, they might be useful as species indices. Future research is needed to determine additional coefficients of different species at various conditions.