Poplar board, a common building and furniture material, requires preservative and insect-proofing treatments to ensure its lifespan and quality. Choosing the right chemical agents is crucial during the preservative treatment process; they must effectively prevent insect infestation while avoiding damage to the poplar board material.
Traditionally, arsenic- and chromium-containing preservatives, such as copper chromate arsenate (CCA), were widely used. These agents possess excellent anti-mildew, anti-corrosion, and insect-proof properties, and have strong penetrability, making them suitable for various wood treatments. However, with increasing environmental awareness, CCA, containing carcinogens and posing potential hazards to the environment and human health, has gradually been restricted or banned. Therefore, finding efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives has become a key research focus in the field of wood preservation.
Among many new preservatives, ammoniacal alkylamine copper (ACQ) has attracted much attention due to its low toxicity and high efficiency. ACQ does not contain harmful substances such as arsenic and chromium. Through the synergistic effect of copper and alkylamines, it effectively resists fungal decay and insect damage. Its water-soluble properties allow the agent to easily penetrate the interior of the wood, forming a durable protective layer. For poplar board, ACQ treatment not only significantly improves its insect-repellent properties but also preserves the wood's natural color and texture, minimizing its impact on the material.
Besides ACQ, borides are another important class of wood preservatives. Borides possess low toxicity and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, effectively preventing wood decay and insect infestation. For poplar board, boride treatment can be applied by immersion or spraying, allowing the agent to penetrate evenly into the wood surface and interior. However, borides are prone to leaching, especially in humid environments, where their preservative effect may be compromised. Therefore, in practical applications, composite formulations or surface treatment techniques are often used to enhance the leaching resistance of borides, ensuring long-term preservative effects.
Composite preservatives represent a major innovation in the field of wood preservation in recent years. By mixing two or more preservatives in a specific ratio, composite preservatives overcome the limitations of single preservatives, producing a synergistic effect. For example, combining ACQ with borates leverages both the long-lasting preservative properties of ACQ and the broad-spectrum antibacterial properties of borates, thus comprehensively enhancing the preservative and insect-resistant capabilities of poplar board. Simultaneously, composite preservatives can reduce the amount of chemicals used, lower costs, and improve economic efficiency.
When selecting preservatives, their impact on the physical and mechanical properties of poplar board must also be considered. High-quality preservatives should ensure effective preservation while minimizing damage to the wood's strength, hardness, and other mechanical properties. Through scientific formulation and process optimization, good compatibility between preservatives and wood can be achieved, ensuring that the treated poplar board possesses excellent preservative and insect-resistant properties while maintaining its original physical and mechanical characteristics.
Furthermore, the preservative treatment process is also a crucial factor affecting the quality of poplar board. Advanced treatment technologies such as vacuum pressurization allow preservatives to penetrate deeper into the wood, forming a uniform protective layer. This not only improves the preservative effect but also reduces the amount of chemicals used and treatment time, lowering production costs. At the same time, a strict quality control system is also key to ensuring the treatment effect. By testing and monitoring indicators such as the amount of pesticide applied to the treated wood and the depth of penetration, it can be ensured that every poplar board meets the expected standards for rot and insect prevention.
