The effects of drying temperatures on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood

Rubberwood is highly susceptible to fungus and other bio deteriorating organisms attack. In order to fulfil the demand of rubberwood in wood-based industry, higher quality of rubberwood that is less susceptible to bio deteriorating organisms attack is needed. Proper treatment is needed to increase the resistance of the wood towards external conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drying temperature on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood. The objective of this study was to find the optimum drying temperature at which the preservative could penetrate sufficiently into the wood. Also, the findings were aimed to provide basic information regarding the effects of drying temperature on preservative treatability of rubberwood. Rubberwood was dried under air-drying condition, at a constant temperature of 60, 80 and 100°C with controlled RH, and at temperature of 120°C to a final MC of 12%. After drying, the wood was then treated with copper azole preservative. The results showed that there was a significant effect of on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood at different drying temperatures. It was found that the optimum drying temperature for rubberwood to achieve maximum preservative retention and penetration was at 100°C with controlled RH of 85%.