STUDY ON SILICIC-BORIC ACID COMBINATION AGAINST WOOD DECAYING FUNGI IN PLYWOOD

Abstract

Plywood as engineered wood product is used for a number of structural and non structural application s for both interior and exterior uses. The exterior exposure creates the conditions for fungi and insects attack, which lead to the early failure of wood products. Preservative treatment is necessary for wood species to improve its resistance against biological agencies. In the present study boric acid, silicic acid and their different combinations i.e. 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 at 2, 3 and 4% concentrations were tested against wood decaying fungi (Trametes versicolor and Oligoporus placentus) in Poplar plywood through soil block test as per IS:4873 (2008). Boric acid has provided the best protection to plywood specimens against the tested fungi. The most effective combination which improved the plywood resistance to fungi was boric acid and silicic acid in 3:1 ratio. While silicic acid was found to be least effective. The efficacy of tested chemicals has improved by using higher concentrations of compounds.

Keywords

• boric acid
• plywood
• silicic acid
• wood decaying fungi