Abstract

In the context of acute shortage of wood and increasing timber prices rubberwood is the only timber available in plenty at moderate cost to the public. But its, susceptibility to insect borer, and fungal attack limits its use. To overcome this limitation boron diffusion treatment was attempted. Immersing 25mm thick material in a 10 boric acid equivalent solution containing 0. 5 sodium Pentachloro phenoxide at ambient temperature for 40 minutes give adequate loading of chemicals into the wood. The method of treatment has been standardised for various thicknesses of wood. It was found that increasing the immersion time does not increase the loading of chemicals appreciably. Instead, keeping the samples for longer periods of diffusion storage improves the penetration of chemicals. The present research activities for upgrading rubberwood through chemical treatment for its better utilisation is briefly described