Ketahanan 10 Jenis Kayu Tropis-Plasma CF4 terhadap Rayap Kayu Kering (Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light)

Abstract

Ten (10) troptcal hardwoods with low natural durability were treated with CF, plasma. Plasma treatments were carried out in a plasma reactor with a I-meter length of rotary cylindrical glass with inner diameter of 10 cm The plasma reactor was provided with an outside semi-cylindrical electrode of 10 watt, 13.56 MHz. 30- cnT pressure, 150-mT pressure in the absence of plasma and 250-mT pressure in the presence of plasma. Plasma treatments were carrred out for I0 mlnutes. Plasma treated-wood samples of 0.3 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm slze were then fed to Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light for 12 weeks under standard conditions. The mortality of termites and the weight loss of samples were measured in accordance with methods developed by Martawijaya (1989) and the degree of protection was determ~ned according to American Wood Preservers' Association ( 1972). It was found that plasma treatments increased termite mortality and decreased the weight loss of wood samples. An antagonistic relationship exists between CFI plasma and the extractive content of wood samples, In which wood samples with high extractives content produced a less resistant wood-plasma. The durability class of pulai, mahoni, rubber wood, sengon, africa. and gmelina increased upon CF4 plasma treatment. It was also found that the degree of protection of the plasma treated wood significantly higher than thost of their controls. Further investigation is required on the reaction mechanism of plasma with wood surface to ensure the mechanism of plasma protection on wood.