Boron compounds are very effective biocides. They perform well at rather low concentrations. However, boron compounds, like other biocides could have a negative impact on humans and in general on the environment. One of the most important weaknesses of boron compounds is the fact, that they do not react with wood, and thus they are easily leached out. The objective of the present Thesis, was to improve performance of boric acid treated wood with the addition of wax emulsion. The samples made of beech and Norway spruce wood were impregnated with the solutions of different concentrations: H3BO3 (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8%), LGE (0%, 50% and 100%). The emulsion of montan wax LGE was together with boric acid H3BO3, as the past studies indicate, that this combination could result in reduced boron leaching. Beech wood samples were then exposed to the white-rot fungi (Hypoxylon fragiforme, Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus), while the spruce wood was exposed to the brown-rot fungi (Antrodia vaillantii, Serpula lacrymans, Gloeophyllum trabeum), as it is prescribed by the modified EN 113 Standard. After 13 weeks of exposure, the samples were isolated and we gravimetrically determined their loss of mass. The results show that the solutions with the certain concentrations of LGE wax and boric acid H3BO3, well protect the wood from any fungal decay. Even more, they act synergistically.
|