Termite resistance of MDF panels treated with various boron compounds.
In this study, the effects of various boron compounds on the termite resistance of MDF panels were evaluated. Either borax (BX), boric acid (BA), zinc borate (ZB), or sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) were added to urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin at target contents of 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5% based on dry fiber weight. The panels were then manufactured using 12% urea-formaldehyde resin and 1% NH(4)Cl. MDF samples from the panels were tested against the subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Laboratory termite resistance tests showed that all samples containing boron compounds had greater resistance against termite attack compared to untreated MDF samples. At the second and third weeks of exposure, nearly 100% termite mortalities were recorded in all boron compound treated samples. The highest termite mortalities were determined in the samples with either BA or BX. Also, it was found that SPT showed notable performance on the termite mortality. As chemical loadings increased, termite mortalities increased, and at the same time the weight losses of the samples decreased.
Usta
Mustafa
M
Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, Trabzon, Turkey.
Ustaomer
Derya
D
Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, Trabzon, Turkey.
Kartal
Saip Nami
SN
Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ondaral
Sedat
S
Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, Trabzon, Turkey.
D000818:Animals; D001881:Borates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D020049:Isoptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D014508:Urea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
D001881:Borates; D001888:Boric Acids; D001896:Boron Compounds; C018851:borax; D005557:Formaldehyde; D014508:Urea; C032688:boric acid; C027707:sodium perborate