Comparative performance of copper azole and copper-chrome-arsenate treated rubber wood in Australian, Malaysian and New Zealand tests sites
IRG/WP 00-30213
J A Drysdale, M E Hedley, E Loh, L T Hong
Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) has been used for non-structural products where appearance is important. It has rarely been used for structural uses where preservative treatment is required. In order to evaluate the in-ground durability of preservative-treated rubberwood, test stakes (20 x 20 x 500 mm3) were treated to four retentions of CCA and copper azole (Tanalith® E) and installed in test sites in Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand . After 2- 4 years exposure, copper azole is out-performing CCA at equivalent retentions where a fungal hazard dominates. At the Malaysian test site, CCA proved the more effective preservative in a severe termite hazard. Neither preservative is likely to adequately protect rubberwood in critical in-ground situations.
Keywords: CCA; COPPER AZOLE; FIELD TESTS; STAKES; RUBBERWOOD