Chemical Modification of the Tropical Hardwood Species, Celtis mildbraedii (ESA FUFUO), to Improve its Durability

Abstract

Celtis mildbraedii (esa fufuo) is a high density hardwood species and abundant in the forest of Ghana. It can be used for construction but is non-durable. In this study, esa fufuo was chemically modified with acetic anhydride (AA) or propionic anhydride (PA) to improve its durability against fungi and termites. Percentage weight loss and visual fungal and termite destruction grades were obtained from a graveyard test conducted for twelve weeks. The modified samples were more durable than the unmodified samples and there was no significant difference in durability between the AA and PA modified samples. The weight loss of the AA and PA modified samples after twelve weeks ground contact were 0.37% and 1.52% respectively, while that of the unmodified samples was 59.10%.