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>Perhaps most importantly, the densified wood is also moisture-resistant: In lab tests, compressed samples exposed to extreme humidity for more than five days s
by scythe 7y ago
>Perhaps most importantly, the densified wood is also moisture-resistant: In lab tests, compressed samples exposed to extreme humidity for more than five days swelled less than 10 percent—and in subsequent tests, Hu says, a simple coat of paint eliminated that swelling entirely.
This is an improvement, but it doesn’t appear to solve the fundamental problem: rain. In practice most structural materials must survive exposure to not just humid air but liquid water — this is why Sorel cement is not used in construction, for example.
- TulliusCicero 7y agoHmm, does the right paint not deal with that?
- shriphani 7y agoSome woods are ok with rain - I've used cypress for outdoor signage for instance and it takes rain well - no warping or that sort of business. If you constrain expansion to one or two dimensions it might be ok.
- hinkley 7y agoRain and standing water caused by rain. Wicking can be a bitch, and some wood products do not bounce back. Wet a 2x4 and as long as you dry it before rot sets in, good as new. Fiber board, at the other end of the spectrum, ruined forever. There are a lot of things in between. So they said paint prevents swelling but they don't say what happens to the swelled wood after it dries.