AWPA Approves Copper Naphthenate for Treating Railroad Crossties

HOUSTON – March 14, 2005 – The American Wood Preservers’ Association (AWPA) recently approved copper naphthenate for treating Oak and Mixed Hardwood crossties under AWPA Use Category System (UCS) Commodity Specification 6C, crossties and switchties. The AWPA Subcommittee T-3 (Piles and Ties) unanimously voted to adopt the new standard in September 2004, which was ratified by the AWPA Executive Committee at its January 2005 meeting.

Copper naphthenate is a general use (unrestricted) wood preservative that provides an effective alternative to traditional crosstie wood preservatives.

“Railroad companies are continuously looking for ways to improve crosstie life in high-decay areas,” says Scott McNair, copper naphthenate sales manager for Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services LLC (MCRS). “Studies have shown that copper naphthenate-treated crossties provide service life comparable to creosote treated crossties”

Results of one research study of copper naphthenate-treated crossties in service for 15 years in a heavily-trafficked Class 1 railroad showed long term efficacy against wood destroying fungi and insects comparable to creosote.

CuNap-8™ Copper Naphthenate is manufactured by MCRS in its ISO 9001:2000-registered facility in Tuscaloosa , Alabama.