Varnished furniture surface

Example for odor determination for selected materials Determination of odorant concentration in varnished furniture surfaces... 

The odor potential of furniture is determined primarily by the applied varnishes although adhesives also play a minor role. Furniture varnishes may contain up to 80% solvents. The residual solvents remaining in the varnish thus determine the VOC and odorant concentration of furniture surfaces. 

A specific test method has been developed for determining the VOC and odorant concentration of coated surfaces," "" as shown schematically in Figure 17.1.10. Similar to formaldehyde determination, sample testing is done using a test chamber approach. After some atmospheric conditioning, of the varnished furniture, the samples are stored in a test chamber (typically 1 m ) xmder the following conditions 23°C 0.5 45 3% relative... 

Many older finishes can be removed with single solvents or blends of petroleum solvents and oxygenates. Varnish can be removed with mineral spirits, shellac can be stripped with alcohols, and lacquers can be removed with blends of acetates and alcohols (lacquer thinners). The removal mechanism is one of dissolving the coating, then washing the surface or wiping away the finish. This method is often used to reamalgamate or liquefy old finishes on antique items of furniture. 

Solvent dyes are also used for tinting transparent varnishes and lacquers in the furniture and leather industries, where the surface texture of the finished articles needs to be protected but not obscured. There is also a growing demand for coloured but transparent inks for printing on the ever-increasing amounts of plastic packaging of all kinds used for the food sold in supermarkets. 

Polishing varnish n. Very hard-drying, short oil varnish used for interior woodwork, furniture, etc., and capable of being rubbed with abrasive and mineral oil lubricants to a very smooth surface for a desired degree of gloss. Syn rubbing varnish. 

Polyurethanes have a wide range of applications. Polymers with relatively little cross-linking produce stretchable fibers (Spandex and Lycra) used for bathing suits. Polyurethane foams are used in furniture, mattresses, and car seats and as insulation in portable ice chests. Cross-linked polyurethanes form very tough surface coatings in paints and varnishes. The major component of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart is also a polyurethane. 

Say you just inherited the desk that was in your room as a middle schooler—complete with scars, pencil tracks, and chipped varnish. Before you can allow the desk to leave the garage, you simply have to refinish the surface. The process of refinishing wooden furniture involves removing the old finish, sanding the wood to a near-pristine state, and then protecting it with a new finish—in this case, that would be varnish, though you can see a complete list of wood finish options on page 281. 

---