Abstract

Rashmi Ramesh Shanbhag*, Narasimha Murthy, Sujatha D, Uday D Nagammanavar and Kiran M C

An alternative type of wood preservative formulation, which can replace the toxic chemical based wood preservatives, is the need of the hour. In this line, many researches are being explored. However, an effective formulation is not yet being developed. In case of plywood, development of alternative wood preservatives that can be mixed with glue line is a bigger challenge because some properties of preservatives are likely to hinder the plywood bonding qualities. In the present study a preservative formulation using a synergetic mixture of different botanicals, along with copper sulphate, lignin powder and silica powder was developed. Test samples were prepared by mixing the two concentrations (1.5% and 2%) of preservative formulation with Urea formaldehyde resin to perform the glue line poisoning and control samples without preservatives were prepared. Water resistance test to evaluate bond quality were carried out for both control and test samples. Field trials against termites were also carried out although the UF resin was used only for interior grade works and field trials were not necessary. The fungal resistance studies failed to show any significant result indicating the preservative formed is not effective against wood destroying fungus prevention.