J. Simonsen, C. M. Freitag, A. Silva, J. J. Morrell
Wood/plastic ratio: Effect on performance of borate biocides against a brown rot fungus
The effect of wood/plastic ratio and the presence of a
boron compound on resistance to biodegradation of
wood plastic composites (WPC's) by the brown rot fungus
Gloeophyllum trabeum was investigated in a soil
block exposure. Weight losses of all WPC's were generally
lower than those of solid wood, even when only
the wood component of the WPC was used in calculating
weight loss. Higher wood content was associated with
greater weight losses, suggesting that the plastic encapsulated
wood at lower wood levels. Borates markedly
reduced weight losses at all wood/plastic ratios. Weight
losses tended to be slightly lower with a Na/Ca borate
than with similar levels of zinc borate. Mechanical properties
did not correlate well with weight losses under the
conditions evaluated, but these effects may have been
masked by moisture sorption. The causes and implications
of these differences are discussed.
Holzforschung, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0018-3830
Volume: 58, 03/2004
Pages: 205 - 208
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