Talykh A., Gavrilova A., Simonova I. Study of water absorption of hardwood and softwood substrates with protective and decorative coating // Resources and Technology. 2025. №2, Vol. 22. P. 67‒83.

Study of water absorption of hardwood and softwood substrates with protective and decorative coating

Talykh
Alexey

Petrozavodsk State University, ata_77@mail.ru

Gavrilova
Anna

Petrozavodsk State University, annaegorova.2003@mail.ru

Simonova
Irina

Petrozavodsk State University, shaina_irina@mail.ru

Key words:
water absorption of wood; protective and decorative coatings; folk musical instruments; plywood

Summary: Research related to the final processing of wood with protective and decorative materials is presented in scientific works quite extensively. However, issues related to the selection of protective and decorative coatings according to various criteria in accordance with the requirements for musical instruments are not sufficiently covered. When choosing protective and decorative materials for stringed musical instruments, along with such indicators as curing rate, film hardness, coating wear resistance, adhesion, etc., the moisture resistance indicator is of no small importance. The article presents the results of research on determining the water absorption of samples of spruce, pine, birch wood, as well as plywood treated with polyurethane, acrylic, nitrocellulose varnishes, oil-wax, sea salt, activated carbon (with vaseline oil), which can be used in the manufacture of parts and units of stringed folk musical instruments. These wood species and the type of wood material for the samples were not chosen by chance. The bodies of string musical instruments can be made of pine; spruce is used for the upper deck, pine (sometimes plywood) for the lower deck, and hardwood (e. g. birch) for the tailpieces. The aim of the study was to determine the optimal variant of protective and decorative coatings for string folk musical instruments based on the «water absorption-appearance» criteria. The water absorption of the samples was determined according to All-Union State Standard (GOST) 11488-65. The samples with applied protective and decorative compositions were weighed 2 hours after the start of keeping in a bath with distilled water, and then after 1, 2, 4, 7, 12, 20 and 30 days. Based on the results of periodic weighing and the known mass of the samples in an absolutely dry state, the current humidity during water absorption was determined. The study showed that polyurethane varnish is optimal for all the considered wood species and wood materials. Oil-wax protects wood from moisture quite well, but this coating requires more frequent renewal compared to varnishes. Sea salt, as an impregnation, can be used if it is necessary to preserve the texture and color of wood with a sufficiently high water-repellent ability. To ensure the most pronounced texture and contrast of wood while maintaining water-repellent properties, it is recommended to use a coating of activated carbon and oil (for example, Vaseline). Wood oils and non-traditional finishing methods (activated carbon, sea salt, etc.) are advisable to use when finishing exhibition samples of musical instruments.

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Resources and Technology

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Study of water absorption of hardwood and softwood substrates with protective and decorative coating