Effects of artificial weathering on the color, gloss, adhesion, and pendulum hardness of UV system parquet varnish applied to doussie (Afzelia africana) wood

An important wood species in the furniture and parquet industry today is “doussie” wood. In this study, the effects of artificial weathering on ultraviolet-cured varnish (3 coats and 5 coats) applied to doussie (Afzelia africana) wood were investigated. The samples of the UV system cured varnishes were exposed to aging effects for 252 h and 504 h via an UV-A 340 nm lamp. The coated specimens were exposed to UV-A 340 nm fluorescent lamp in a QUV accelerated weathering tester for 252 h and 504 h. The surface adhesion strength, color (L*, a*, b*, ∆E*, ∆L*, ∆a*, and ∆b*) parameters, pendulum hardness, and glossiness (parallel (//) and perpendicular (⊥) at 20°, 60°, and 85°) of UV varnishes coated samples were quantified before and after weathering. According to the results, while the a* value increased, the adhesion, L*, b*, and glossiness values decreased with aging. As a result, it was concluded that doussie wood can be used in the production of flooring with UV-cured varnish.