Acetylated rubberwood flakeboard resistance to bio-deterioration

Flakeboards made from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Ag.) and phenol-formaldehyde resin were used to test for resistance to dry wood termites, subterranean termites, and fungal attacks. Dried flakes were immersed in acetic anhydride and subsequently heated at 120?C to give specimens of 7 and 18 weight percent gains. Control flakeboards were also prepared for comparison. Flakeboards were put in the boxes containing 50 healthy and active dry wood nymphae of Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light for 4 weeks. Nymphae mortality and weight loss were determined for each sample. Flakeboards were also stacked in an arboretum for 12 weeks and protection level and weight loss of flakeboard caused by Macrotermes gilvus Hagen attack were determined. Flakeboards were also inoculated with Schizophyllum commune for 10 weeks and moisture content, weight loss, and modulus of rupture loss of flakeboard were determined. The results showed that the acetylation of the flakes increased the resistance to dry wood termite, subterranean termite, and fungal attacks. The higher the acetylation level, the greater the resistance.

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