Abstract
This study investigated the effect of microwave treatment on wood pH and termite resistance. Pinus roxburghii heartwood was exposed to four different microwave intensities at 2450 MHz frequency for 5 minutes. Preservative impregnation, pH variation and termite resistance of microwave-treated and control specimens were studied. Wood pH decreased from 4.6 (C1) to 3.9 (T4) and preservative uptake increased (i.e., 10.41 to 21.61 kgm-3) with increasing microwave treatment intensities. However, microwave treatment had little effect on termite resistance.
Highlights
Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii) is distributed in sub-tropical to temperate regions
Pinus roxburghii wood is utilised for construction, packing cases, door and window frames and pulping (Luna 2005)
The pH of wood is one of the key chemical properties which affect a number of processes related to its utilisation such as excessive acidic nature of wood can be affect the fixation of preservative salts in wood (Sithole 2005) and may affect its durability
Summary
Pinus roxburghii wood is utilised for construction, packing cases, door and window frames and pulping (Luna 2005). The pH of wood is one of the key chemical properties which affect a number of processes related to its utilisation such as excessive acidic nature of wood can be affect the fixation of preservative salts in wood (Sithole 2005) and may affect its durability. Microwave (MW) radiation is an innovative method for improving wood permeability and the drying rate in hardwoods. This method can be used to produce new composite products and create opportunities for increasing timber durability by impregnation with preservatives (Torgovnikov and Vinden 2009, Dashti et al 2012, Poonia et al 2016). The effects of microwave treatment on pH and durability against termite of P. roxburghii wood remain unknown
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