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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #268802
Title: Termite resistance of biobased composition boards made from cotton byproducts and guayule bagasse

Author
item Holt, Gregory
item CHOW, P. - University Of Illinois
item Wanjura, John
item Pelletier, Mathew
item Coffelt, Terry
item Nakayama, Francis

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2011
Publication Date: 3/5/2012
Citation: Holt, G.A., Chow, P., Wanjura, J.D., Pelletier, M.G., Coffelt, T.A., Nakayama, F.S. 2012. Termite resistance of biobased composition boards made from cotton byproducts and guayule bagasse. Industrial Crops and Products. 36:508-512.

Interpretive Summary: This study was the second phase of a two-phase study to evaluate the properties of composition boards (particle boards) made from cotton gin waste, specifically cotton burs and sticks (CGB), and guayule bagasse (GB). The boards were produced from ratios of CGB to GB: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 (C100, C75-G25, C50-G50, C25-G75, and G100, respectively). Also, a three-layered board (3-layer) consisting of 25% GB (upper layer), 50% CGB (middle layer), and 25% GB (bottom layer) was produced. The first phase of the testing indicated average to superior physical and mechanical properties of some of the blends compared to particle board, oriented standboard (OSB), and medium density fiberboard (MDF). This study involved subjecting five samples from the original CGB:GB boards to Eastern subterranean termites and recording weight loss of the board sample, the number of days the termites survived with the board sample as their only food source, and visual grade of the board sample after testing. Commercial treated MDF, OSB, and Southern Yellow Pine boards were used as controls. Results confirmed good termite control quality for boards made from 100% GB. Weight loss and termite mortality for boards containing CGB to GB ratios of 75-25 and 50-50 were similar to OSB. Visual grading of tested specimens revealed all six CGB and GB composition boards and the treated MDF had better ratings than OSB and the pine boards.

Technical Abstract: Large quantities of cotton gin byproducts (CGB), also known as cotton gin trash or cotton gin waste, are being produced across the cotton belt of the United States annually. Similarly, guayule wastes after rubber latex production is expected to increase as this industry begins to expand. Use of these waste materials in value-added products can help the economics of the crops and aid in alleviating waste management issues and environmental problems. Conventional wood preservatives used to protect wood from insect and microbial damage are of concern to human health and the environment. Guayule bagasse (GB) has been shown to have termite control properties, and a combination of cotton gin and guayule wastes could also have such valuable properties. An initial study evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of boards produced from these two biomasses was published in 2009, this study is a continuation focusing on the termite resistance of boards produced. Thus, objective of this research was to determine the termite resistance property of experimental composition boards made from CGB and GB. Composition boards were made from five different ratios of CGB to GB: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 (C100, C75-G25, C50-G50, C25-G75, and G100, respectively). Additionally, three-layered boards (3-layer) consisting of 25% GB (upper layer), 50% CGB (middle layer), and 25% GB (bottom layer) were made. For comparison, a commercial southern pine lumber board (SPB), a commercial oriented strandboard (OSB), and a commercial preservative treated medium density fiberboard (MDF) were included in the testing. This testing was an extension of a previous study where the mechanical properties of the CGB and GB composition boards were compared to select commercial standards. Five specimens were cut from each of the nine different board treatments and tested using Eastern subterranean termites. Weight loss, termite survival days, and visual grade of each specimen were determined according to testing standards. Results confirmed good termite control quality for boards made from GB alone. Boards containing CGB to GB ratios of 75-25 and 50-50 obtained similar termite resistance as the commercial OSB based on the total weight loss and one-week termite mortality rate. Visual grading of tested specimens revealed all six CGB and GB composition boards and the treated MDF showed better rating than the commercial OSB and pine lumber. No differences were noted among the total termite surviving days for the six CGB and GB composition boards. Overall, the biobased CGB and GB boards showed promise with the boards containing GB exhibiting improved termite resistance properties than SPB and OSB.