Termite Resistance of MDF Panels Treated with Various Boron Compounds

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Mustafa Usta¹  Derya Ustaomer¹  Saip Nami Kartal² 

[1] Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, Trabzon, Turkey; E-Mails:;Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul, Turkey; E-Mail:

关键词: medium density fiberboard (MDF);    termite resistance;    borax;    boric acid;    zinc borate;    sodium perborate tetrahydrate;    Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms10062789

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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% NH₄Cl. 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.