Biological performance of particleboard incorporated with boron minerals

We compared resistance to decay, mold fungi, termites and insect larvae of particleboards incorporated with the raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite to that of particleboards impregnated with the commercial boron preservative zinc borate, or boric acid plus a borax mixture. We also quantified water absorption, thickness swell and boron release of particleboards. Ulexite had the best decay resistance, and colemanite had the best termite resistance. However, ulexite and colemanite were not as effective as zinc borate or the boric acid/borax mixture in preventing mold growth. In general, the boric acid/borax mixture combination was more effective against Anobium larvae than the other treatments. Less boron was released by specimens containing zinc borate and colemanite than by those containing ulexite or the boric acid/borax mixture. In general, water absorption and thickness swell were similar among the different treatments, but both were slightly higher in the ulexite-incorporated specimens. Further mechanical tests will be needed to evaluate the particle- board properties and thereby the compatibility of these boron minerals with various manufacturing processes.

Biological performance,water absorption,and swelling of wood treated with nano-particles combined with the application of Paraloid B72~

We evaluated fungal decay and mold resistance,leaching, and water absorption of nano-compounds and Paraloid B72-（PB72） in treated wood specimens to develop new methods of consolidation by combining nanoparticles and consolidants. Scots pine wood specimens were treated with dispersions of nano-Cu O, nano-Zn O,nano-B2O3, nano-Ti O2, and nano-Ce O2. PB72 treatments of nano-particle-treated wood specimens were then carried out by either vacuum or immersion for 24 h. Previously,decayed wood specimens were also consolidated with the nano-compounds and PB72. PB72 treatments reduced element release from treated wood specimens. Nearly all nano-compounds ？ PB72 treatments increased the biological performance of treated wood specimens against decay fungi tested. PB72-only treated wood specimens had the highest weight losses in decay tests. No improvements were obtained in mold resistance tests when the nanocompounds and PB72 were combined. In nano-compoundonly treatments, unleached specimens showed slightly lower water absorption values compared to untreated control specimens. Incorporation of PB72 into nano-compound-treated wood specimens resulted in considerably lower water absorption and volumetric swell. In previously decayed specimens treated with the nano-compounds and PB72 solution, water absorption after 2-h immersion declined compared to control specimens.

Movement of boron from ulexite and colemanite minerals in sapwood and heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica

This study evaluated boron diff usion from raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite with low water solubility in comparison to disodium octaborate tetrahydrate(DOT).Tests were conducted using sugi(Cryptomeria japonica(L.)f.D.Don)sapwood and heartwood blocks conditioned to 30,60,and 90%target moisture content.The blocks were fi lled with the boron compounds through treatment holes and diff usion was observed at three assay zones across the blocks after 7,30,60 or 90-day incubation period at room temperatures.For comparison,ethylene glycol was also introduced into the holes to elevate boron diff usion.As expected,diff usion increased with increased moisture content and levels were higher at the 60%and 90%moisture levels compared to the 30%level.With some exceptions,boron levels did not follow consistent gradients with distance away from the treatment hole.Incorporation of ethylene glycol helped increase boron levels,even in heartwood blocks.Boron levels were higher from the ulexite source than from colemanite;however,DOT treatments resulted in the highest boron diff usion rates as a result of greater water solubility compared to both raw boron minerals.The results suggest that ulexite together with ethylene glycol may be useful in both sapwood and heartwood materials when kept at high moisture levels for extended periods.