Dcsbd plasma treatment as an alternative to commercial surface degreasing agents before applying coatings to wood

Proper wood protection is crucial to extending its lifespan, especially in demanding applications such as boat building. It is advisable to degrease wood before applying a coating, typically using either natural or synthetic solvents. One alternative for removing impurities from wood surfaces is the use of nonthermal plasma, such as the diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD). To test its effectiveness, boards made from beech, pine, or spruce were degreased with plasma, turpentine and a petroleum-based solvent before applying two types of boat coatings. The samples were then exposed to natural conditions for one year. During this time, colour and gloss were measured every three months to evaluate the properties of the coating and the effect of the method used to clean the surface. The results indicated that the surface degreasing method used before coating did not impact the durability or visual properties of the selected coating. DCSBD plasma could therefore be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to wood pretreatment.