Evaluation of the photo stabilising efficiency of clear coatings comprising organic UV absorbers and mineral UV screeners on wood surfaces

A study of the surface discolouration of clear coated wood during artificial and outdoor weathering and its prevention using clear coatings comprising organic UV absorbers (UVA) and mineral UV screeners was carried out. It was shown that the use of UVA and UV screeners in clear coatings was very effective in reducing photodegradation of the wood surface. Preliminary irradiation trials with Xenon arc light showed that the UV screener TiO₂ led to the least discolouration of the coated wood surface, closely followed by UVA of the hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine class (HPT). The artificial and outdoor weathering trials indicated that UVA of the HPT class stabilised the colour of the wood surface better than UVA of the 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-benzotriazole class (BTZ). Comparison of different artificial weathering methods indicated that Xenon arc light weathering showed the best match to the proceeding discolouration of the clear coated wood panels during outdoor weathering.