Abstract
The sap of urushi tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley) has been used for coating materials and is known as urushi or oriental lacquer in East Asia. The potential of termite attacks against wood samples coated with four types of urushi: Ki-urushi, Sugurome-urushi, Kuro-Sugurome-urushi, and Bengara-urushi, in correlation with their chemical and mechanical properties was investigated in this study. Mortalities of the subterranean Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) after a 3-week no-choice feeding tests in samples coated with all types of urushi showed no significant difference from those of control samples. However, mass loss of the sample coated with urushi was lower than that of the control sample especially for Sugurome-urushi (Tukey’s test: p < 0.05). Results of Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis suggested that the degree of crosslinking reaction of Sugurome-urushi was higher than that of other urushi. The highest indentation stiffness was detected in the sample surface coated with Sugurome-urushi and Sugurome-urushi film, which have better ductile properties when compared with others. Moreover, the tangential section of Sugurome-urushi was smoother than that of the others. Increasing the hardness and smoothness of wood samples by coating with urushi could be effective in preventing termite penetration.
Highlights
The sap of urushi (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A
We evaluated the potential of termite attacks against wood samples coated with urushi in correlation with their chemical and mechanical properties
All sections of control sample were attacked by termite
Summary
The sap of urushi (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley) trees contains typically 60–65% urushiol, 25–30% water, 5–7% water-soluble polysaccharide, 3–5% glycol-protein, and < 1% laccase. Barkley) trees contains typically 60–65% urushiol, 25–30% water, 5–7% water-soluble polysaccharide, 3–5% glycol-protein, and < 1% laccase This sap is a water-inoil emulsion [1, 2]. Urushi sap has been used for coating materials, and is known as urushi, oriental lacquer, in East Asia over the past 5000–7000 years [3]. Urushi coating provides solvent resistance, excellent toughness, and beautifies the products. Urushi ware has been found in its original state from the graves of Ma Wong Dui, B.C. 2, concluding that urushi has a high durability [1]. Urushiol in the sap of the lacquer tree is a small molecule consisting of catechol
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