LIMA, A. B.; LIMA, Antonio Bezerra de.
Abstract:
The objective of this research was to evaluate the resistance of nine woodbase
materials to subterranean termites, under feeding preference test. The tested
wood-base materials were the plywood for industrial use, particleboard, medium
density fiberboard (MDF), plywood for concrete form use, plywood for
furniture, immunized plywood (4 mm), hard density fiberboard (SIS),
immunized plywood (15 mm) and the plywood for structural use. The resistance
of these materials was compared to Pimts sp. and sumauma (Ceiba pentandra
(L.) Gaert.) solid woods. These woods were considered as of low resistance to
xylophages. These materials, except the plywood for industrial use, plywood for
concrete form use, plywood (4 mm) and the SIS (3 mm), were transformed in
test samples measuring 10.16 x 2.54 x 1.50 cm (38,71 cm3) with the largest
dimension in the length direction (panels) or in the fibers direction (woods). The
other panels with thickness different from 1.50 cm were transformed in test
samples with width different of 2.54 cm to obtain samples with similar volumes
to the other materials. In order to facilitate the homogenization of volumes of
samples, the SIS and plywood (4 mm) test samples were constituted of a sample
compound of four and three material layers, respectively. The materials were exposed for 45 days to the Nasutitermes subterranean termites action. The more
resistant panels were the MDF and particleboard and the less resistance was the
SIS. This panel was compared to the sumauma, having been completely
destroyed. The plywood for industrial use was the most resistance plywood and
the most deteriorated were the non-imunizated plywoods. The plywood for
concrete form was more deteriorated than the imunizated plywoods. The Pinus
sp. solid wood was so resistance as plywood for industrial use and the
particleboard. The MDF and particleboard performance could to be associated to
substances added in these panels on manufacture process.
