Timber is an important renewable and sustainable material. Resin modification is a preservative-free method of protecting wood, to improve exterior performance and resistance to weathering and decay. Good impregnation is essential for resin modification, and a laser incision system has been developed to increase uptake, and improve distribution of the reactive system in the wood and rate of drying post impregnation. This project will commercialise and demonstrate the effect of hole spacing on fluid distribution and drying rate, working with large numbers of planks to give results that best represent the natural variability of wood, and optimise the process for future implementation.

Manufacture of a bio-material suitable for exterior use through the impregnation of sustainable timber with a resin. This material will have improved stability, durability, fire resistance, mechanical and physical properties. At present the material can only be manufactered from timbers of small cross section since the rate of transfer of heat to the core of the piece is slow. This means that the high temperature necessary to cure the resin cannot be reached in the core resulting in stress and damage to the material and inadequate resin cure. Laser incising will be used for the first time. It will enable a more even distribution of resin throughout the timber structure through creation of flowpaths, it will also improve rate of heat transfer into the core to enable curing of resin. This will enable treatment of thicker timbers, reduce processing costs and improve material quality.Thicker material is preferred and sought by end users for a range of products.