Mappings of chemicals distribution in preservatives treated tropical bamboo gigantochloa scortechinii

The mappings of chemicals in preservatives treated bamboo Gigantochloa scortechinii were studied. The
chemical's distribution in the bamboo indisputably influences their durability against the attacks of the insects
and fungi. This largely depends on the chemicals penetration, location and retention at the tissue and cell walls
levels in the bamboo. At optimum retention levels, the preservative performance should be comparable unless
the preservative's distribution, substrate susceptibility or fixation product had altered. In evaluating the
performance of various treatment methods employed, the distribution of preservatives within the cell walls of
treated bamboo must be considered. The results from the energy dispersive x-ray analysis on the bamboo
treated with Copper Chrome Arsenic, and Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary are analyzed. The G. scortechinii
samples were treated by soaking, vacuum pressure impregnating and high-pressure sap-displacement.
Observation was carried out using the Transmission Electron Microscope linked system to an energy dispersive
x-ray analyzer. The system enables to detect preservative distribution at the cellular level and measured
relative preservative content into the lumen surface, in the S2 cell wall layer and in the middle lamella.