Source Year: 1996

Flakeboards made from rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) and phenol formaldehyde resin were used to test for resistance to dry wood termites, subterranean termites, and fungal attack. Dried flakes were immersed in acetic anhydried and subsequently heated at 120 C to give specimens of 7 and 18;weight gains. Control flakeboards were also prepared for comparison. Flakeboards were put in the boxes containing 50 healthy and active dry wood nymphs of Cryptotermes cynocephalus for 4 weeks. Nymph mortality and weight loss were determined for each sample. Flakeboards were also partially buried in the ground for 12 weeks and assessed for weight loss caused by Macrotermes gives us attack. Flakeboards were also inoculated with Schizophyllum commune for 10 weeks and moisture content, weight loss, and modulus of rupture losses were determined. The results showed that the acetylation of the flakes increased the resistance to dry wood termite, subterranean termite, and fungal attack. The higher the acetylation level, the greater the resistance.