The study of colour changes under artificial weathering of light red meranti and yellow balau wood from Shorea genus

The study of colour changes under artificial weathering of light red meranti and yellow balau wood from Shorea genus. This paper deals with the change in colour of selected tropical wood species from Shorea genus such as light red meranti and yellow balau. The artificial weathering method was used to determine the colour stability of wood surface. The used ageing method consisted of alternating soaking wood in water, drying at a temperature of 70°C and UV irradiation exposure. The colour changes were evaluated using CIE L*C*h system. Changes of particular colour parameters (lightness L*, chroma C*, hue h) were determine as well as the total colour change ΔE*. The results showed that tested species of wood change their colour similarly under the influence of the artificial weathering (the changes in the tested wood appearance occurred in similar scope). Surfaces of tested wood species initially became darker and then lighter. The largest changes in intensity of the colour of wood took place at the beginning of artificial weathering process. The intensity of changes decreased with the progress of aging process.