WO2004098876A1

WO2004098876A1 - Reinforced lumber and production thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2004098876A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chong Chee Tan; Kit Hung Yip
Original assignee: Chong Chee Tan; Kit Hung Yip
Priority date: 2003-05-09
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2004-11-18

Abstract

A reinforced environmentally-friendly lumber (11) and production process thereof. The lumber (11) comprises a wood body (12) whose outer surface (13) is coated with at least one layer (14) of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with a fibre-cloth (15), or is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener along with a fibre-cloth, said mixture and fibre-cloth being arranged alternately and the outer surface of the outermost fibre-cloth being coated with a mixture layer (16) containing 95-99% top coating and 1-5% catalyst or epoxy hardener. The lumber (11) treated by the process in the present invention has several advantages, including anti-rot, anti-insect damage, anti-radiation, reinforced strength, longer use-life, promoting the saving of forest resources and benefiting environmental protection.

Description

REINFORCED LUMBER AND PRODUCTION THEREOF

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a kind of lumber and its production process and, in particular, to reinforced lumber and its production process. It also relates to the application of such lumber.

Background Art

Products derived from wood have for a very ling time been used in a wide variety of applications. Amongst other uses, lumber in undressed and dressed form has traditionally been used in building and construction extensively due to its strength, resilience, relatively low cost, its ease of working and fixing abilities. As well, it has been used extensively for a many other purposes such as fencing where its properties give it many advantages over alternative products.

Today the increasingly strong international awareness of environmental protection has led to the protection of virgin forests, an increasing shortage in the supply of hardwood and a continuous increase in price on the international market, resulting in an increase in the practical costs for consumers. Given this, there is currently an urgent demand to prolong the life of lumber, to enhance its resistance to rot, insect damage and radiation and to decrease the rate at which lumber is degraded by environmental pollution. Lumber treated with the chemical Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) has been widely used in public utilities, for construction materials, in agriculture, on farms and in the stock raising industry. However, CCA-treated lumber is highly toxic and can affects the healthy development of human beings, crops and animals because it contains arsenate and heavy metal compounds such as copper, chromium, etc. At the same time, unresolved problems, like how to avoid polluting the natural environment and/or damaging the ecosystem when treating waste lumber, have attracted much attention from various countries.

The present invention provides a reinforced lumber, which at the same time is resistant against rot, insect damage, radiation and yet possesses improved strength. A production process of the lumber is also described.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention resides in a reinforced lumber comprising a wood body whose outer surface is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with a fibre-cloth, or is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of epoxy resin and. epoxy hardener along with a fibre-cloth, said mixture and fibre-cloth being arranged alternately and the outer surface of the outermost fibre-cloth being coated with a mixture layer containing 95 - 99% top coating and 1 - 5% catalyst or epoxy hardener.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the fibre-cloth is in the same number of layers as that of the mixture.

The weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 96 - 99.5% and 0.5 - 4% respectively and total 100%; the weight percentages of said epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are 40 - 90% and 10 - 60% respectively and total 100%.

The weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 98 - 99% and 1 - 2% respectively and total 100%.

An example of said general-purpose polyester resin is the product labelled "Escon GP 35 UN1866 resin solution". A suitable catalyst is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst (MEKP). An example of said epoxy resin is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow". An example of a suitable epoxy hardener is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow". An example of a suitable top coating is the product labelled "ORT GEN FLO Gloss White".

Suitable fibre-cloth is chemical fibre or glass fibre.

The production process according to the present invention comprises the following four steps:

step 1 : preparing a wood body;

step 2: spraying or brushing onto the surface of the wood a mixture of general- purpose polyester resin and catalyst in the desired

proportion, or a mixture of epoxy resin and, epoxy hardener in the desired proportion;

step 3: covering said mixture-coated entity with a fibre-cloth before the mixture dries completely while at the same time spraying or brushing said mixture described in step 2 onto the above-mentioned fibre-cloth; repeating this step according to the number of layers required;

step 4: brushing on a mixture consisting of 95-99% outer coating containing stabilizer, anti-radiation agent and titanium oxide and 1-5% catalyst or epoxy hardener, wherein the total percentage is 100%, within 45 minutes to 1 hour after the above steps have been completed.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the water content of the wood body is less than 30%.

According to a further aspect the invention resides in reinforced lumber comprising a wood body wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of said wood body is coated with a reinforcing layer, the reinforcing layer adapted to increase the structural strength of the lumber.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the reinforcing layer has a hardness greater than the hardness of the wood body.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the wood body is of softwood.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the layer is substantially impervious to water. According to a preferred feature of the invention, the layer is substantially impenetrable by insects.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the reinforcing layer is bonded to the surface of the wood body.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the layer comprises high tensile strength filamentary material.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the filamentary material is interwoven.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the layer further comprises a polymeric bonding material.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the polymeric bonding material is epoxy resin.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the polymeric bonding material is polyester.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filamentary material comprises glass fibres.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filamentary material comprises chemical fibres.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the wood body comprises reinforcement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wood body comprises a plurality of laminations bonded together with reinforcement bonded between the laminations.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement between the laminations comprises at least one layer of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with a fibre-cloth, or is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of epoxy resin and. epoxy hardener along with a fibre-cloth.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wood body is elongate and is reinforced with at least one metal filament extending substantially for the length of the body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wood body is reinforced by a plurality of metallic rods located in slots in the surface of the wood body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the metallic rods are bonded within the slots in the surface of the wood body.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the average density of the wood body is increased prior to coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, a dense material is bonded to the wood body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dense material is particulate and is bonded to the outer surface of the wood body prior to coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dense material is particulate and is bonded to the outer surface of the wood body in conjunction with the coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the density of the lumber is adjusted to be greater than the density of sea water.

According to a preferred aspect, the invention comprises a lobster pot comprising reinforced lumber of the type as described.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforced lumber has an average density greater than the density of sea water.

According to the present invention, said lumber has high strength, hardness and resistance to rot, insect damage and radiation. If, after some years, it has become damaged, it can be buried in the soil and allowed to degrade naturally without polluting the environment. Said process can prolong the use-life of lumber and enhance its tensile and compression strength. By using this technology, hardwood can be replaced with softwood to varying degrees and, more importantly, reduce the ecological damage caused by CCA-treated lumber as well as reduce the felling of virgin forests because the new technology can use lumber from man-made forests. In this way, it benefits environmental protection as it can compensate for common shortages and defects in lumber. A sufficient supply of artificially planted wood can reduce the felling of virgin forests and it won't pollute the natural environment or damage the ecosystem, thus sparing rare forest resources. Because of the benefits mentioned above, the overall cost of use of lumber according to the invention is lower than forest lumber or chemically treated lumber when taken over the full life- cycle of comparable products.

The invention will be more fully understood in light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an lumber in accordance with a first embodiment showing a portion of the reinforcement cut-away;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of lumber according to a second embodiment;

Figure 3 is an isometric partially exploded view of an end section of lumber according to a third embodiment;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of lumber according to a fourth embodiment;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a portion of a lumber according a fifth embodiment. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The first embodiment of the invention is directed to an element of reinforced lumber suitable for general usage such as structural timber, as a post or other related applications. The embodiment is depicted in Figure 1. The embodiment is shown with a section of the reinforcement cut-away to more clearly indicate the manner of construction.

The lumber 11 of the embodiment comprises a wood body 12 of conventional timber, the outer surface 13 of which is coated with two layers 14 of a mixture of general- purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with two layers 15 of fibre-cloth. In an adaptation of the embodiment, the wood body is coated with two layers of a mixture of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener along with two layers of fibre-cloth. In either case, the mixture and fibre-cloth is arranged alternately and the outer surface of the outermost fibre-cloth is coated with a mixture layer 16 containing 95 - 99% top coating and 1 - 5 % catalyst or epoxy hardener. The strength of lumber treated in such way is greatly improved. The actual number of layers used can be varied according to the required strength and the purpose of the finished product - the more layers, the stronger the lumber.

The weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 96 - 99.5% and 0.5 - 4% (all percentages hereinafter refer to weight percentages) respectively and total 100%; the weight percentages of said epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are 40 - 90% and 10 - 60% -respectively and total 100%. Said general- purpose polyester resin and epoxy resin can enhance the lumber strength. Said catalyst and epoxy hardener can accelerate the drying of said general-purpose polyester resin or epoxy resin, and as such they may be any suitable catalyst or epoxy hardener. The top coating containing stabilizer, anti-radiant agent and titanium oxide can help the wood resist radiation and breakage and prevent colour fading.

The weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 98 - 99% and 1 - 2% respectively and total. 100%. An example of a suitable general-purpose polyester resin is Escon GP 35 UN 1866 resin solution produced by Nuplex Industries (Aust) Pty. Ltd of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Said catalyst is preferably methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP Catalyst) (commercially available, e.g. NORAC 9 MEKP Catalyst provided by Nuplex Industries (Aust) Pty. Ltd in Australia), or any other suitable catalyst having the ability to dry the resin. An example of a suitable epoxy resin is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow" provided by SP System Pty. Ltd, of Sydney, Australia. An example of a suitable epoxy hardener is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow" provided by SP System Pty. Ltd of Sydney, Australia. Said top coating is a mixture of stabilizer, anti-radiant agent and titanium oxide, such as "OM' GEN FLO Gloss White" provided by Nuplex Industries (Aust) Pty. Ltd of Sydney, Australia (commercially available). Said fibre-cloth may be chemical fibre-cloth or glass fibre- cloth, wherein glass fibre-cloth is preferred and a tabby weighting of 195 grams per square meter is more preferred.

In accordance with the intended use of the lumber and the accordingly required strength, said mixture and fibre-cloth may be coated onto one surface, or two opposite surfaces or other surfaces of the wood body.

The process according to the embodiment comprises the following steps:

step 1 : preparing a wood body;

step 2: applying onto the surface of the wood a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst in the desired proportion, or a mixture of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener (Polyamide) in the desired proportion wherein the applying method may be sprayed on with a spraying gun or brushed on with a brush, wherein the weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 96-99.5% and 0.5-4% respectively and total 100%, the weight percentages of said epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are 40-90% and 10-60% respectively and total 100%;

step 3: slowly covering said mixture-coated entity with a fibre-cloth, e.g. glass fibre- cloth or chemical fibre-cloth, before the mixture dries completely while at the same time spraying or brushing said mixture described in step 2 onto the above-mentioned fibre-cloth; the mixture then penetrating into the fibre-cloth and expelling air bubbles; repeating this step to achieve the number of layers required;

step 4: brushing on a mixture consisting of 95-99% top coating containing stabilizer, anti-radiant agent and titanium oxide and 1-5% catalyst or epoxy hardener within 45 minutes to 1 hour after the above steps finish. The lumber can be moved 30 minutes after this step has been completed.

The wood body should preferably have a moisture content less than 30%, to ensure that the polyester resin bonds to the surface of the wood body.

After one surface has been treated by the above four steps, step 2, 3 and 4 may be repeated if other surfaces need to be coated with the mixture and the fibre-cloth.

Lumber treated in the manner described has a strength as a structural element that is particularly increased over the strength of the wood body. This is particularly so in relation to its strength in resisting bending moments which is the loading in which ordinary lumber, particularly softwood, typically fails by breakage or excessive deflection. This is a result of the high tensile strength of the external layer. The benefit is also derived from the fact that the layer bonds to the surface of the wood body during manufacture. Because of the reinforcing layer, softwood may be used for many structural applications that were previously the reserve of expensive hardwoods or required softwoods of excessive cross-sectional size.

The reinforcing layer also has a hardness that is greater than any conventional building timber and particularly the hardness of softwood. Again, this means that lumber treated in the manner described with a softwood wood body may be used in applications where hardness is an important criterion of selection. Nevertheless, it remains possible to use simple fixing devices such as nails and screws. Such devices will penetrate into the wood and be held by the wood in conventional manner. Indeed in many instances, the presence of the reinforcing layer will be beneficial, especially when the wood is a softwood as the reinforcing layer will provide additional mounting strength to the fixing where the load is of a lateral or sheer type.

The reinforcing layer is also impervious to water and therefore provides a suitable barrier to prevent water contacting the wood body and thus causing deterioration by rot. This greatly enhances its utility and life in external applications and applications wherein at least a portion of the lumber is buried in the ground, as in the case of fence posts. The layer also resists ingress of insects such as termites and thus can be used in many environments without causing the environmental impacts of chemically treated lumber. When it is necessary to dispose of it, the reinforced lumber can be buried in the soil and allowed to degrade naturally without polluting the environment.

It will be seen that where the features of resistance to water entry, rot or other corrosion and attack by insects it will be preferable to utilise the lumber in the lengths as supplied, thereby maintaining the integrity of the outer reinforcement.

Nevertheless, where it is necessary to cut the lumber to a shorter desired length than that supplied, the cut end can easily be sealed again by the application of a suitable polyester or epoxy resin. In most such instances, it will not be necessary to apply a layer of fibre-cloth as the strength given by such cloth will not be required over a cut end. Nevertheless, such cloth could be applied as well where the situation demanded it.

A second embodiment is shown in Figure 2. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment having a wood body 22 the outer surface 23 of which is coated with at least one layer 24 of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with fibre-cloth. However, in this embodiment, the wood body is comprised of a plurality of laminations 27 bonded together to form a unitary body. Between the laminations one or more layers of a fibre-cloth and general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are provided to provide additional reinforcement to the wood body. The materials and process may be of the same type as that used for the external reinforcement layer but in some applications it may be desired that a quite different reinforcement material be used.

A wide range of alternative means may be used to reinforce the wood body other than the one mentioned in the second embodiment. In a third embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, steel rods 36 are inserted into longitudinal apertures 35 extending through the length of the wood body 32. The steel rods 36 are secured to end plates 37 at the opposed ends of the wood body 32. The steel rods 36 may even be pre- tensioned to thereby improve the reinforcing strength given by the rods 36. Clearly the rods may be of a material other than steel if appropriate.

In the third embodiment, because the steel rods 36 will be fully enclosed by the external reinforcement layer 33, they will be protected from corrosion caused by ambient conditions.

A fourth embodiment is an adaptation of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is recognised that is will be relatively difficult and expensive to provide longitudinal apertures 35 in the wood body 32 and it is expected that this embodiment would be restricted to specialist applications. In contrast, it is quite simple and economical to provide longitudinal slots in a wood surface by readily available woodworking equipment. In the fourth embodiment, the wood body 42 is provided with longitudinal slots 45 in the surfaces and steel rods 46 are inserted into the slots 45. By using square or rectangular section steel rod, rod dimensions can be selected to substantially fill the slot. Therefore little additional polyester resin will be required for the purpose of filling vacant space. Further, during manufacture, by applying a little resin to the slot 45 prior to inserting the steel rod 46, the rod will fully adhere to the walls of the slot and will provide the desired reinforcement without the need for end plates. Such rods will be even better encased within the resin than might be the case of the third embodiment, even better preventing corrosion.

There are many applications when the density of the lumber, is important, especially that it be greater than the density of water so that an object will sink when placed in water. Inexpensive softwoods have a density less than water and this can be problematic for certain applications. The average density of a particular item of lumber will be increased by use of the techniques described in relation to the third and fourth embodiments, that is by incorporating a piece of metal within the wood body. Where density is the required property a metal with a higher relative density such as lead might be used. Because the embodiments sealingly enclose the metal with the product, even lead could be used when necessary despite its problems as a poison. However, in many applications, this would be an expensive solution or have other problems.

In a fifth embodiment as shown in Figure 5, an external layer 58 of particulate material is engaged with the outer surface 53 of the wood body 52 prior to or in conjunction with the application of the outer reinforcement layer 56. The particulate material might be sand or preferably a material of even greater density. Granulised or powdered cast iron is suggested as an appropriate substance due to its relatively low expense and reasonable density. Again the resin will prevent corrosion from being an issue even if the material used is subject to corrosion in normal environments. This technique will be particularly suited where the cross-sectional size of the wood body is relatively small.

An example of an application where such a material has particular benefits is in the manufacture of crayfish or lobster pots. Traditionally, such pots comprise cages formed from bamboo or wicker. Such material had many disadvantages but used to be inexpensive. That is no longer true. By use of small cross-section lumber according to any of the embodiments, a pot is provided which is much more durable as it is able to withstand immersion in sea water for a very long time without deterioration, has considerably greater strength and resilience. If lumber according to the fifth embodiment is used, the pot will sink without the application of additional ballast. As a result of the use of the lumber of the embodiments, where various rods of the reinforced lumber must be joined, this can be achieved simply by the use of a small quantity of polyester or epoxy resin. This will provide a strong and durable join which also will resist corrosion.

Commercial type crayfish or lobster pots will receive similar benefits from the use of lumber according to the embodiments, again particularly the fifth embodiment.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above. In addition it should be recognised that bases of many other shapes and materials other than those described in relation to the embodiment would be quite suitable in meeting the needs of the invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A reinforced lumber comprising a wood body whose outer surface is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with a fibre-cloth, or is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of epoxy resin and. epoxy hardener along with a fibre-cloth, said mixture and fibre-cloth being arranged alternately and the outer surface of the outermost fibre-cloth being coated with a mixture layer containing 95 - 99% top coating and 1 - 5% catalyst or epoxy hardener.

2. The lumber as claimed at claim 1 , the fibre-cloth is in the same number of layers as that of the mixture.

3. The lumber as claimed at claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 96 - 99.5% and 0.5 - 4% respectively and total 100%, and the weight percentages of said epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are 40 - 90% and 10 - 60% respectively and total 100%.

4. The lumber as claimed at claim 3, wherein the weight percentages of said general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst are 98 - 99% and 1 - 2% respectively and total 100%.

5. The lumber as claimed at any one of the preceding claims, wherein said general-purpose polyester resin is the product labelled "Escon GP 35 UN 1866 resin solution", said catalyst is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst, said epoxy resin is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow", said epoxy hardener is the product labelled "SP 106 epoxy Kit extra slow" and said top coating is the product labelled "ORT GEN FLO Gloss White".

6. The lumber as claimed at any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fibre- cloth is chemical fibre or glass fibre.

7. Reinforced lumber comprising a wood body wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of said wood body is coated with a reinforcing layer, the reinforcing layer adapted to increase the structural strength of the lumber.

8. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 7 wherein the reinforcing layer the reinforcing layer has a hardness greater than the hardness of the wood body.

9. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the wood body is of softwood.

10. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the layer is substantially impervious to water to thereby impede or substantially prevent the penetration of water into the wood body.

11. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the layer is substantially impenetrable by insects to thereby protect the wood body from attack by said insects.

12. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the reinforcing layer is bonded to the surface of the wood body.

13. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the layer comprises high tensile strength filamentary material.

14. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 13 wherein the filamentary material is interwoven.

15. Reinforced lumber as claimed at one of claims 13 or 14 wherein the filamentary material comprises glass fibres.

16. Reinforced lumber as claimed at one of claims 13 to 14 wherein the filamentary material comprises chemical fibres.

17. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the layer further comprises a polymeric bonding material.

18. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 17 wherein the polymeric bonding material is epoxy resin .

19. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 17 wherein the polymeric bonding material is polyester.

20. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the wood body comprises reinforcement.

21. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 20 wherein the wood body comprises a plurality of laminations bonded together with reinforcement bonded between the laminations.

22. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 21 wherein the reinforcement between the laminations comprises at least one layer of a mixture of general-purpose polyester resin and catalyst along with a fibre-cloth, or is coated with at least one layer of a mixture of epoxy resin and. epoxy hardener along with a fibre- cloth.

23. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the wood body is elongate and is reinforced with at least one metal filament extending substantially for the length of the body.

24. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the wood body is reinforced by a plurality of metallic rods located in slots in the surface of the wood body.

25. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 24 wherein the metallic rods are bonded within the slots in the surface of the wood body.

26. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the average density of the wood body is increased prior to coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

27. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of the claims 1 tp 25 wherein a dense material is bonded to the wood body.

28. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 27 wherein the dense material is particulate and is bonded to the outer surface of the wood body prior to coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

29. Reinforced lumber as claimed at claim 27 wherein the dense material is particulate and is bonded to the outer surface of the wood body in conjunction with the coating of the outer surface with the reinforcement layer.

30. Reinforced lumber as claimed at any one of claims 26 to 30 wherein the density of the lumber is adjusted to be greater than the density of sea water.

31. A lobster pot comprising reinforced lumber of the type as claimed at any one of the preceding claims.

32. A post comprising reinforced lumber of the type as claimed at any one of the preceding claims.

33. A production process for the reinforced lumber, comprising: step I: preparing a wood body; step 2: spraying or brushing onto the surface of the wood a mixture of general- purpose polyester resin and catalyst in the desired proportion, or a mixture of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener in the desired proportion;

step 3: covering said mixture-covered entity with a fibre-cloth before the mixture dries completely while at the same time spraying or brushing said mixture described in step 2 onto the above-mentioned fibre-cloth; repeating this step as claimed at the required number of layers;

step 4: brushing on a mixture consisting of 95-99% top coating containing stabilizer, anti-radiation agent and titanium oxide and 1-5% catalyst or epoxy hardener, wherein the total percentage is 100%, within 45 minutes to I hour after the above steps have been completed.

34. The production process as defined in claim 33 wherein the water content of the wood body is less than 30%.

35. A reinforced lumber substantially as herein described.

36. A method of manufacturing a reinforced lumber substantially as herein described.