Abstract:

In this study, the durability of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) which was thermally treated at 170, 185, 200, and 215 ℃ for 3 h respectively was investigated. The results showed that the durability of heat-treated rubber wood was improved, and the improvement became more obvious with the increase of the treating temperature. When treated at 185 ℃ or lower temperature, the decay resistance of treated wood had no significant improvement. The lowest weight losses were 21.6% and 6.8% after attack by brown rot fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum) and white rot fungi(Coriolus versicolor) respectively, which were reached by the specimens treated at 215 ℃. Their resistance to mold fungi was not improved, but the heat-treated wood performed better than untreated wood when both were painted. In field test, the heat-treated specimens exhibited no advantage in termite resistance compared to untreated.

Key words: heat-treated, rubber wood, biological durability