Effects of Artificial Weathering on Some Surface Properties of Anatolian Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) Wood Applied with Yacht Varnish

Abstract

Anatolian chestnut wood is an industrial material used in various indoor and outdoor applications in Turkey. This study investigated the effects of artificial weathering (times: 144, 288, 432, and 576 h) conditions on color parameters (L*, ∆L*, a*, ∆a*, b*, ∆b*, ∆E*, h^o, ∆H*, C*, and ∆C*), glossiness values at 60° in different directions (║ and ⊥), pendulum hardness (König method) values, and surface adhesion strength (pull-off method, MPa) on the layers of yacht varnishes applied to Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood. The results showed that the univariate analysis of variance was significant by obtaining the weathering factor for all tests. While the brightness values perpendicular (⊥) and parallel (║) to the fibers increased at 144 and 288 h, they decreased at 432 and 576 h. Adhesion strength to the surface decreased 4.35% at the 576^th h of weathering. At the end of weathering, a*, C*, b*, and pendulum hardness values increased, while h^o and L* values decreased compared to un-weathered samples. The ∆a* and ∆E* values increased with increased weathering time.