Alkaline copper quaternary

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Alkaline copper quaternary, usually abbreviated ACQ, is a type of water-based wood preservative product containing a soluble copper(II) complex and quaternary ammonium alkyl- or aryl-substituted compounds ("quats"). Thus the product was originally called ammoniacal copper/quaternary ammonium. [1] [2]

Contents

Composition

Copper complex

The copper in the preparation is in the form of a soluble complex with ammonia NH3 or an amine such as ethanolamine N(C2H5)H2. In any case, the copper content is usually expressed as a weight percentage of the amount of copper oxide CuO that would account for the copper present. [2]

As a copper carrier, ammonia has the advantage that it will penetrate difficult-to-treat Western species better than other waterborne preservatives. Otherwise ethanolamine is preferred as copper carrier. [3]

Quaternary ammonium cations

Quaternary ammonium cations

DDA

The quaternary ammonium cation in some formulations is didecyldimethylammonium (DDA) N+(CH3)2(C10H21)2. [2]

DDA is commercially produced as the carbonate, under the trade name "Carboquat". The carbonate is used instead of the chloride to reduce corrosion of the treatment equipment. [2]

DDA carbonate is non-volatile and highly soluble in water, with near zero octanol-water partition coefficient. [2]

ADBA

Another quaternary ammonium cation used in some formulations is alkyldimethylbenzylammonium (ADBA). The formula is N+(CH2)2(C6H5)(CnH2n+1), [4] where n varies between 8 and 18. [5]

Counterions

Both the copper complex and the quats are positive cations. The counterions (the anions that balance their positive charges) are typically hydroxide HO−, chloride Cl−, carbonate CO2−3 or bicarbonate HCO−3. [2] [4]

Standard formulations

Formulations of ACQ differ in the "carrier" (complexing agent for copper), either ammonia or ethanolamine; and on the quaternary ammonium cation present. Types registered in the US [3] and Canada: [4]

The ACQ Type D formulation also contains two moldicides: 2-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one and 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one. [2]

The ammonia carrier ACQ-B improves its ability to penetrate into wood that is difficult to treat, like some US Western lumber. The formulations with ethanolamine, especially ACQ-D, are generally used for easier woods (such as southern pine) because it provides a more uniform surface appearance. [3]

Mechanism of action

During the wood treatment process, the water-soluble copper and the quaternary ammonium cations are immobilized by the formation of stable insoluble compounds with lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose and other wood components. [2]

The copper is the primary bactericide and fungicide agent.

The quaternary ammonium cation is added to prevent growth of copper-tolerant bacteria, fungus, and mold, [2] as an insecticide.

Use

ACQ is applied at a timber treatment plants by industrial vacuum-pressure impregnation.[ citation needed ] Bunks of dried lumber are loaded into a long (up to 150') cylindrical container, seven feet in diameter. The bunks ride on a rail system at the bottom of the cylinder. Once filled, the container is subjected to a hard vacuum, drawing all the air and any remaining moisture out of the wood. Then, the cylinder is filled nearly full of the ACQ solution and a pressure of 150PSI is applied for several hours to force the solution completely into the wood. After the solution has been pumped out, a vacuum is applied again, to remove excess solution from the wood. {https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/basics-of-pressure-treatment-of-wood.html} 2022-4-13

Bunk sizes: 2×4 have 294 pcs, 2×6 have 189 pcs, 2×8 YP have 96 pcs, 2×10 YP have 80 pcs, and 2×12 YP have 64 pcs. (YP= Yellow Pine) The lumber is usually eight, twelve, or sixteen feet long, but can be longer.

The ACQ-C product is normally shipped from manufacturer as a concentrated solution that is diluted at the wood treatment plant. ACQ-D and ACQ-A are shipped as two separate solutions that are mixed and diluted at the latter. [4]

In the US and other countries, ACQ is registered for use on lumber, timbers, landscape ties, fence posts, building and utility poles, land, freshwater and marine pilings, sea walls, decking, wood shingles, and other wood structures. [6]

Treated wood color

Wood treated with ACQ has greenish-brown color which may fade to brown, and may have a slight ammonia odor until the wood dries. [3] [4]

Safety

In the treated wood, the copper is relatively harmless and not an environmental or health concern. [2]

DDA chloride is approved as germicide, fungicide, and algicide for disinfectant products that have been used for decades in hospitals and other commercial and industrial establishments. [2]

ADBA chloride has been used in commercial products in the US since 1947. A registration standard was issued by EPA in 1985. [5]

One disadvantage of ACQ is that significant amounts of air pollution, in the form of ammonia, are released from treatment plants and freshly treated wood in storage yards. While the CCA components are far more toxic in a weight basis, being non-volatile solids they can be effectively contained. [1]

Fastener corrosion

The copper in ACQ treated wood accelerates corrosion of galvanized steel fasteners (such as nails and screws) 10 times or more in comparison with CCA-treated wood. Stainless steel (AISI 316) is not affected. [7] Aluminium and Galvalum fasteners should be avoided. [8] One should use fasteners made of hot-dipped galvanized steel, copper, or stainless steel. [3] [9]

History

ACQ technology was developed and patented in Canada and improved in the U.S. It has been in commercial production in Europe, Japan and the U.S. since the late 1980s. Wood products treated with ACQ preservative were commercially produced in Canada for the first time in 2004. [4] [1]

ACQ became a widely used wood preservative after concerns were raised about possible environmental contamination by chromium and arsenic from wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), through contact (especially in playgrounds), leaching, sawing and sanding, or burning. [9] These concerns led to the virtual banning of CCA for residential purposes by the US EPA, in 2003-2004.

Chemical Specialties, Inc (CSI, now Viance) received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2002 for commercial introduction of ACQ.

See also

Related Research Articles

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The ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic ion with the chemical formula NH+4 or [NH4]+. It is formed by the protonation of ammonia. Ammonium is also a general name for positively charged (protonated) substituted amines and quaternary ammonium cations, where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by organic or other groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium carbonate</span> Chemical compound

Sodium carbonate is the inorganic compound with the formula Na2CO3 and its various hydrates. All forms are white, odourless, water-soluble salts that yield alkaline solutions in water. Historically, it was extracted from the ashes of plants grown in sodium-rich soils. Because the ashes of these sodium-rich plants were noticeably different from ashes of wood, sodium carbonate became known as "soda ash". It is produced in large quantities from sodium chloride and limestone by the Solvay process, as well as by carbonating sodium hydroxide which is made using the Chlor-alkali process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ammonium chloride</span> Chemical compound

Ammonium chloride is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4Cl and a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water. Solutions of ammonium chloride are mildly acidic. In its naturally occurring mineralogic form, it is known as sal ammoniac. The mineral is commonly formed on burning coal dumps from condensation of coal-derived gases. It is also found around some types of volcanic vents. It is mainly used as fertilizer and a flavouring agent in some types of liquorice. It is the product from the reaction of hydrochloric acid and ammonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood preservation</span> Treatment or process aimed at extending the service life of wood structures

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Abraham S. C. Chen (1994): "Evaluating ACQ as an Alternative wood Preservative System". Report APA/600/SR-94/036, US EPA, Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 C A Cushing, R Golden, Y W Lowney, S E Holm (2007): "Human Health Risk Evaluation of ACQ-Treated Wood". Journal Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, volume 13, issue 5, pages 1014-1041. doi : 10.1080/10807030701506173
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Preservative-Treated Wood and Alternative Products in the Forest Service" USDA, United States Forest Service, online report. Accessed on 2019-04-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Chapter G – Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) Wood Preservation Facilities" Environment and Climate Change Canada website. Accessed on 2019-04-20.
  5. 1 2 Jonathan Chen and others (2006): "Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (ADBAC)". Report EPA739-R-06-009, US EPA, Dept of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances.
  6. ↑ "EPA: Pesticides - ACQ - An Alternative to CCA". www.epa.gov. Archived from the original on 2005-10-23.
  7. ↑ Gareth Kear, Hăi-ZhènWú, Mark S. Jones (2009): "Weight loss studies of fastener materials corrosion in contact with timbers treated with copper azole and alkaline copper quaternary compounds". Corrosion Science, volume 51, issue 2, pages 252-262. doi : 10.1016/j.corsci.2008.11.012
  8. ↑ "ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) Wood Preservative and Fasteners - Are They Compatible?" Fasteners Eurasia website. Accessed on 2019-04-20.
  9. 1 2 James (Scott) Groenier, Stan Lebow (2006): "Preservative-treated wood and alternative products in the Forest Service". Missoula, MT : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Technology & Development Program, 2006: iv, 44 pages. Accessed on 2021-07-02.
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