Measurement of termite resistance of particleboard panels made from Eastern redcedar using nano particle added modified starch as binder

The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of experimental particleboard panels exposed to subterranean termites, (Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar). Panels were manufactured from Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) using nano-SiO2 particles added modified starch as a binder. The termite resistance of samples was evaluated using choice and no-choice bioassay approach for 12 weeks. Radiata pine control samples had 87.65% weight loss as compared with 9.92-14.07% weight loss of panel samples. The damage rating index (DRI) of the choice feeding test had the highest value of 4.00 in the case of radiata pine samples and the lowest value of 2.25 resulted from A1 panels having 0.60 g/cm(3) density level and 1% of nanoparticles. In no-choice feeding tests, panel samples had less feeding damage compared to that of radiata pine samples and termite worker survival rate was less than 2%, in contrast to 87% survival rate for radiata pine control specimens as a result of 12-week exposure time. The average lowest weight loss value of 9.25% was found for A3 panels, having 0.60 g/cm(3) density level and 3% of nanoparticles, and the average highest value of 14.08% was determined for the control samples. Based on the findings in this work it appears that experimental panels manufactured in this study had a certain level of resistance against the damage by subterranean termites.