Synergistic effect of heartwood extractives and quaternary ammonium compounds on termite resistance of treated wood.

This study evaluates the synergistic effect of wood extractives and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) on the resistance to termites of several treated wood species. Wood specimens from different natural durability classes were extracted with either hot water alone or hot water + ethanol/benzene. The extracted and unextracted wood specimens were treated with either didecyldimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) or commercial didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) solutions and then exposed to subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, for 3 weeks under laboratory conditions. The results showed that extractives of the heartwood portions of the wood species contributed to increased resistance against termite attack in the presence of either DBF or DDAC wood preservatives. The synergistic effect of wood extractives and DBF was much clearer with Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco and Tsuga heterophylla Sarg wood samples. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of the synergism between wood extractives and either DBF or DDAC using both the sapwood and heartwood portions of the same wood species.

[1]  S. Kartal,et al.  Evaluation of new quaternary ammonium compound, didecyldimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) in comparison with DDAC: Leachability and termite resistance tests , 2006, Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff.

[2]  S. Kartal,et al.  Laboratory evaluation of boron-containing quaternary ammonia compound, didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) for control of decay and termite attack and fungal staining of wood , 2006, Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff.

[3]  S. Kartal,et al.  Surface treatment for preventing decay and termite attack in wood using didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) incorporated with acryl-silicon type resin , 2005, Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff.

[4]  Tor P Schultz,et al.  Development of environmentally-benign wood preservatives based on the combination of organic biocides with antioxidants and metal chelators. , 2002, Phytochemistry.

[5]  T. Schultz,et al.  Naturally durable heartwood: evidence for a proposed dual defensive function of the extractives. , 2000, Phytochemistry.

[6]  R. Wimmer,et al.  EFFECTS OF HEARTWOOD EXTRACTIVES ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LARCH , 2005 .

[7]  B. Goodell,et al.  Protection of wood using combinations of biocides. , 2003 .

[8]  Jeffrey J. Morrell,et al.  Heartwood formation and natural durability - a review , 2002 .

[9]  Y. Ohtani,et al.  Crucial chemical factors of the termiticidal activity of hinoki wood (Chamaecyparis obtusa) III. Contribution of α-terpinyl acetate to the termiticidal activity of hinoki wood. , 1997 .