EFFECT OF BORIC ACID TREATMENT ON TERMITE RESISTANCE OF PRTICLEBOARD COMPOSED OF DIFFERENT RATIO OF OIL PALM AND ACACIA FIBER

Abstract

One way to overcome the shortage in wood supply is by substituting the commercial wood utilization with other wood materials that has great potential but still limited in its utilization such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and acacia (Acacia mangium Wild.) fibers. The possibility of using acacia and oil palm wood as raw material in particleboard production as well as medium density fiberboard has previously reported. Meanwhile, decay and insect attack which may limit the performance of the particleboard is one of the major concerns. A study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of boric acid treatment on termite resistance of particleboard composed of different ratio of oil palm and acacia fiber (0%:100%, 25%:75%, 50%:50%, 75%:25% and 100%: 0%, respectively). Termite resistance of the particleboard were evaluated according to a modified wood block test (MWBT) standard. It was observed that termite resistance of the untreated particleboard was relatively low. However, the boric acid treatment has significantly improved the termite resistance of the particleboard.