Influence of boron compounds on the physical properties of Eucalyptus sp wood

Order to prevent the wood degradation with coleopteran and termites can make use of various chemical preservatives, which are highlighted the boron compounds. Their effects on physical properties of wood are little known. Thus, the aim of this research was to identify the influence of boron compounds in specific gravity and skrinkage of Eucalyptus sp. and the effectiveness of the preservative treatment. A total of 160 specimens were used test pieces with dimensions of 2 x 2 x 5 cm from wood residues, where 80 samples were treated with boric acid and other 80 received no treated. After vacuum impregnation treatment, the qualitative test was performed to evaluate the penetration of boronin treated wood, the density and skrinkage assays in samples with or without preservative. The results indicated that greater penetration of the wood treated with boron compounds was classified as partially irregular level, and the preservative treatment significantly increased the specific gravity in treated samples as compared to the untreated. Mean values of total skrinkage in the treated wood were lower by 17.5%, 14.8% and 15.5%, tangential, radial and volumetric skrinkages, respectively, as compared to untreated wood. Thus, it was observed that boron significantly affect the physical properties of evaluated wood.