TERMITE RESISTANCE OF JABON WOOD IMPREGNATED WITH METHYL METHACRYLATE

Abstract

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) wood specimens were impregnated for 10, 20 and 30 min with monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) and then polymerised by ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation (10 and 30 kGy). After the polymerisation process, polymer loadings were calculated. For comparison, control specimen was prepared using untreated wood. All wood specimens were tested for resistance to subterranean termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) in the laboratory for 4 weeks according to the Indonesian standard. At the end of the test period, wood specimen weight loss, resistance class, termite mortality and feeding rate were determined. Results showed that the average polymer loading reached 69% and the MMA wood had better resistance to subterranean termite than untreated wood. The untreated wood belonged to resistance class V (very poor resistance) but MMA wood was rated as class II (resistant). Compared with untreated wood, MMA wood also had less weight loss (77.7%), a lower termite feeding rate (73%) and increased termite mortality (20.9%). Impregnation period, radiation dose and interaction of both of these factors affected wood weight loss and termite feeding rate. The best combination treatment was 30 min of MMA impregnation and 30 kGy of radiation.