Effect of boron compounds-furfuryl alcohol treatment of wood on dimensional stability, termite resistance and boron leachability

IRG/WP 01-40195

S K Ozaki, M K Yalinkilic, Y Imamura, M F Souza

Sapwood blocks of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Caribbean pitch pine (Pinus caribaea) measuring 20 (tangential) x 20 (radial) x 10 (longitudinal) mm were impregnated with furfuryl alcohol (FFA) by a vacuum-diffusion process followed by curing under heating. Boron compounds (boric acid, ammonium borate and ammonium biborate) were mixed in the impregnation solution of FFA. Anti- swelling efficiency, water holding capacity and moisture exclusion efficiency were measured. Boron leachability was determined by ion chromatography with ten leaching cycles according to JIS 9201 (1992). The specimens were exposed to termite attack testing, before and after the cyclic leaching process. The results indicated that FFA imparted to wood greater dimensional stability when mixed with boron compounds. Boron when mixed with FFA behaved differently to boron alone treatment, although it was still leachable. The wood specimens treated with FFA-boron compounds were quite resistant to termites even after severe leaching.


Keywords: FURFURYL ALCOHOL; BORON FIXATION; LEACHABILITY; TERMITE RESISTANCE; DIMENSIONAL STABILITY; PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT; WOOD PRESERVATION

Conference: 01-05-20/25 Nara, Japan


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