Dimensional Stability, Color Change, and Durability of Boron-MMA Treated Red Jabon (Antochephalus macrophyllus) Wood

Abstract

Boron compound had many advantages as wood preservative, but it was prone to leaching. Improving boron preservation was required to extend the service life of fast growing and low durability red jabon (Antochephalus macrophyllus) hardwood. This study aimed to evaluate the dimensional stability, color change and durability of modified red jabon wood by double impregnation with boron and methyl methacrylate (MMA) and heat treatment. Impregnation I used boric acid or borax, and impregnation II used MMA, while heat treatment used temperatures of 90 °C or 180 °C for 4 hours. The dimensional stability, leachability, water absorption, color change and decay resistance of modified red jabon wood were tested. The results showed that MMA impregnation increased the dimensional stability of red jabon wood, while the leaching and water absorption in the wood significantly reduced. Heating at 180 °C caused less water absorption and higher dimensional stability of the wood than that of heating at 90 °C. Impregnation with boric acid and MMA followed by heating at 90 °C resulted in the highest wood ASE, 89.9%. The color change (ΔE*) of wood increased significantly after MMA impregnation and heating at 180 °C. Boric acid impregnation caused more resistant wood than borax impregnation against decay fungi and termites. Impregnation with boric acid and MMA followed with heating at 180 °C increased significantly the wood resistance against decay fungi and termites.