Effects of Artificial Weathering Resistance on the Hardness Value of Ash Wood Surfaces Coated with Polyurethane Modified Water-Based Varnish after Heat Treatment

Pendulum hardness test is important for determining the mechanical durability and long-term performance of the film layer formed on the surface of wood thermally treated at high temperatures and coated with water-based varnish (WBV). In this study, the effect of artificial weathering conditions on the pendulum hardness (König method) of ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) wood samples varnished with polyurethane modified WBV was investigated. The samples were thermally treated under two conditions (190°C for 1.5 h and 212°C for 2 h) and compared with untreated control samples. The samples were exposed to artificial weathering conditions (for periods of 0, 168, 336 and 504 h). Pendulum hardness values were measured at the end of each weathering period. According to the results, increases in hardness values were observed in both heat-treated and untreated ash wood samples treated with varnish after weathering. In the varnished samples treated at 212°C for 2 h, the post-weathering hardness increases were lower compared to the samples treated at 190°C for 1.5 h and the control group. Additionally, analysis of variance for the pendulum hardness test, heat treatment, weathering time and their interaction were determined to be statistically significant. The significant increases in hardness values observed in the unweathered samples highlight the importance of the wood, varnish, and weathering process.