Enhancement of Hevea brasiliensis properties through chemical application

• Main Authors: ROSZAINI KADIR, MOHD D. JANTAN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Ciências
• Series: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
• Subjects: Hevea brasiliensis; bleaching agents; physical; mechanical; biological properties
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652016000602081&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT The effects of four different types of bleaching agents (hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite and oxalic acid) mixed together with 2% boron-based preservative (Celbor SP) were studied on green sawn rubberwood. Two concentration levels (1% and 2%) of were used. Whitish values (W) and colour changes (ΔE) of sawn rubberwood were assessed before and after chemical treatment using a colour meter. Preliminary observation indicated that timber treated with 1% and 2% hydrogen peroxide produced better and more homogeneous colour properties. Hydrogen peroxide treated timber gave higher whitish values (6.23 and 9.91 for 1% and 2% solution, respectively) and lower colour changes (8.49 and 5.51 for 1% and 2% solution, respectively) when compared to the other three chemicals. Evaluation on the effects of bleaching (hydrogen peroxide with a higher level of concentration) on physical, mechanical and biological properties of rubberwood also have been determined in this study.