Download - Chemical bamboo preservation — guadua bamboo
Stéphane Schröder (/preservation/?author=53407b1be4b01b8f6b772224) · November
13, 2012 (/preservation/chemical-bamboo-preservation)
Chemical Bamboo PreservationChemical preservation (with or without the help of special equipment) ensures long
term protection. Depending upon the method of bamboo treatment, chemical
preservatives can impart short term or long term protection.
With a few exceptions, chemical preservatives to protect bamboo against biological
attacks and degradation are toxic. Selection and application has to be done with great
care to meet performance, environment requirements and safety.
Depending upon the carrier solvents, bamboo preservatives are divided into 2 different
categories: Non-fixing and fixing type preservatives. Non-fixing preservatives will leach
out the bamboo when exposed to rain. In other words non-fixing type preservatives
are NOT suited for outdoor use.
Non-Fixing Type Preservatives
Non-fixing bamboo preservatives mainly consist of boron salts, which are effective
against borers, termites (/preservation/bamboo-insect-infestation) and fungi
(/preservation/how-to-remove-bamboo-mold) (except soft rot fungi). These boron salts
are dissolved in water. After treatment, the water evaporates leaving the salts inside the
bamboo. They are not toxic and can be used for treating bamboo products like baskets,
dry containers, etc. which come in contact with food products.
Boric Acid Borax
Curing bamboo with borax and boric acid is the most popular bamboo preservation
method (for indoor use) around the world because it is effective and more
environmentally friendly than other wood preservatives.
The combination of boric acid and borax in a ratio of 1:1.5 is an alkaline
salt called: Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na2B8O13 x 4H2O) and is
available in pre-mixed powder form, usually under the commercial
Preservation
Chemical Treatment
(/preservation/?
tag=Chemical+Treatment)
Drying Bamboo
(/preservation/?
tag=Drying+Bamboo)
Durability of Bamboo
(/preservation/?
tag=Durability+of+Bamboo)
Insect Infestation
(/preservation/?
tag=Insect+Infestation)
Leaching Bamboo
(/preservation/?
tag=Leaching+Bamboo)
Mold and Fungus
(/preservation/?
tag=Mold+and+Fungus)
Timbor Nisus Borate Wood Treatment (http://www.amazon.com/Timbor-Nisus-Borate-Wood-Treatment/dp/B003W0MFU8%3FSubscriptionId%3D0ENGV10E9K9QDNSJ5C82%26tag%3Dguadbamb-
20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003W0MFU8)
(http://www.amazon.com/Timbor-Nisus-Borate-Wood-Treatment/dp/B003W0MFU8%3FSubscriptionId%3D0ENGV10E9K9QDNSJ5C82%26tag%3Dguadbamb-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003W0MFU8)
Bamboo Preservation (/preservation/?category=Bamboo+Preservation)
Chemical Bamboo Preservation
(Http://Www.Guaduabamboo.Com/Search)Home (/)
Guadua (/Guadua/)
Forum (/Forum/)
Contact (/Contact-Us/)
ProductsPoles (/Bamboo-Poles/)Mats (/Crushed-Bamboo/)Panels (/Crushed-Bamboo-Panels/)ServicesConstruction (/Bamboo-Construction-Services/)Plantation Management (/Bamboo-Plantation-Management/)Become A Distributor (/Become-Guadua-Bamboo-Distributor/)
BambooGenera (/Genera/)Species (/Species/)Types (/Types/)Facts (/Facts/)Identification (/Identification/)Distribution (/Distribution/)Cultivation (/Cultivation/)Preservation (/Preservation/)Construction (/Construction/)Working With Bamboo (/Working-With-Bamboo/)Uses Of Bamboo (/Uses/)Free Pdf's (/Bamboo-Pdfs/)Books (/Bamboo-Books/)Videos (/Bamboo-Videos/)
AboutAbout (/About-Guadua-Bamboo/)Partners (/Partners/)
available in pre-mixed powder form, usually under the commercial
names: Tim-Bor
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G6UHES/ref=as_li_ss_tl?
ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004G6UHES&linkCode=as2&tag=guadbamb-
20) or SoluBor, among others.
Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is a white, odorless, powdered substance that is not
flammable, cumbustible, or explosive and has acute low oral and dermal toxicity. The
product itself is fire retardent and shows no hazardous decomposition.
This salt, is used as an insecticide and fungicide, and is also effective against fungi and
algae. It has an infinite shelf life and is not affected by temperature. Diluted with water,
bamboo can be impregnated, submerged or sprayed with this chemical.
Formula (1):
boric acid / borax
ratio 1:1.5
Formula (2):
boric acid / borax / sodium
dichromate
ratio 2:2:0.5
Recommended concentration:
4-5% indoor use (not exposed to weather or ground contact)
* How to Interpret the Terms: 'Ratio' and 'Concentration'?
The ratio of the chemical solution is based on kilograms per 100 liters of water.
For example, if you see this:
boric acid / borax / sodium dichromate
ratio 2:2:0.5
It actually means this:
a mixture of 2 kg of boric acid / 2 kg of borax / 500 gr of sodium dichromate in 100
liters of water.
The above example is the equivalent of 4,5% concentration. If you want to ramp this up
to a concentration of 9% you just have to double the mixture like this:
a mixture of 4 kg of boric acid / 4 kg of borax / 1 kg of sodium dichromate in 100
liters of water.
Fixing Type Preservatives
These chemical bamboo preservation formulations are proportionate mixtures of
different salts which interact with each other in the presence of bamboo and become
chemically fixed. In principle, the degree of fixation and efficacy depends upon the
nature of the components and their combination and concentration.
For example, Chromium is responsible for fixation, copper is effective against decay
fungi and soft rot and the third compound acts against insect and fungus. The process of
fixation requires some weeks during which the material should be stored under cover.
Slow fixation is preferred in case of bamboo as it allows diffusion and better distribution
of preserving salts.
Copper Chrome Arsenic (CCA)
CCA is a heavy duty broad spectrum chemical bamboo preservative patented as AsCu. It
has been found to provide protection for 50 years or more. Outdoor use is
recommended only due to the arsenic component, which can also causes a green
coloration on the bamboo.
Formula:
arsenic pentoxide / copper sulphate / sodium dichromate
ratio 1:3:4
Recommended concentration:
6% outdoor use (structures exposed to weather but not in contact with ground)
10% outdoor use (structures exposed to weather and in ground contact)
Bamboo Poles
Wholesale (/wholesale-
bamboo-poles/)
Wholesale Bamboo Poles As a
producer and supplier of
bamboo in bulk worldwide, we
always strive to offer the best
quality at the most competitive
prices. We currently export
bamboo poles from China,
Indonesia and Colombia.
$86.15(http://www.amazon.com/Tim-Bor-Insecticide-Fungicide-Pound-657859/dp/B004G6UHES%3FSubscriptionId%3D0ENGV10E9K9QDNSJ5C82%26tag%3Dguadbamb-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004G6UHES)
Copper Chrome Boron (CCB)
CCB is a broad spectrum chemical bamboo preservative and a good alternative to CCA,
but less effective with a lower degree of fixation, because of the boron component.
Formula:
boric acid / copper sulphate / sodium dichromate
ratio 1.5:3:4
Recommended concentration:
6-8% indoor use (not exposed to weather or ground contact)
8-10% outdoor use (structures exposed to weather and in ground contact)
Zinc Chrome
Zinc Chloride is highly hygroscopic and treated bamboo will give a wet look in rainy
season. This can adversely help paints and other finishes.
Formula:
Zinc chloride / sodium dichromate
ratio 1:1
Recommended concentration:
10% outdoor use (structures exposed to weather and in ground contact)
Copper Chrome Acetic
Formula:
copper sulphate / sodium dichromate / acetic acid
ratio 5.6:5.6:0.25
Recommended concentration:
8% outdoor use (structures exposed to weather and in ground contact)
Fire Retardant Preservative
This treatment is intended to protect materials against fire as well as decay and insect
attack.
Formula:
boric acid / copper sulphate / zinc chloride / sodium dichromate
ratio 3:1:5:6
Recommended concentration:
25% indoor and outdoor use
Creosote
It is a broad spectrum bamboo preservative and is a cost effective chemical for
treatment for exterior applications. It has been used for treating railway sleepers and
wooden poles.
Coal tar and creosote available from coal is a dark brown viscous liquid. Creosote should
be used exclusively for pressure processes or hot and cold treatment. Being oily, it
imparts water repellence to the treated material. It is effective against fungal and insect
attack. Due to its dark brown color and bad odor, its use is restricted to exterior
applications, especially in contact with mud/ ground.
Light Organic Solvent-based Preservatives (LOSP)
These are slightly more expensive bamboo preservatives where the organic solvent acts
as a carrier for toxic molecules and later evaporates, leaving the active ingredients
behind. They are available commercially in ready-to-use forms. A good formulation is an
appropriate mixture of fungicides and insecticides. There is little change of color of the
Comments (17) Subscribe via e-mail
Tagged: Chemical Treatment (/preservation/?tag=Chemical+Treatment)
I live in Florida. A friend will let me cut poles from his clump of bamboo. I have
access to a small pond where I can soak the bamboo.
I plan to build a pergola cover. I would like to span a fish pond 18 feet wide. I want
the poles to last at least ten years. Should I use a preservative like CCB, or will
soaking in water remove the starches and preserve the wood? How long should
the poles soak? How is CCB applied? Is CCB just painted on the outside of the
poles? They are too long for me to soak them for any length of time.
How far can 3" poles span without support in the middle (if they only support
themselves)?
With the treatments that you have listed, what are the degradation times for
bamboo including if it is not treated?
Untreated bamboo has an average durability of less than 2 years (outdoor
use). Treated bamboo on the other hand can be in service for a life time, as
there are bamboo structures in Asia and Latin America that are more than a
appropriate mixture of fungicides and insecticides. There is little change of color of the
treated material but a residual odor may remain for some time. The method of use will be
recommended by the manufacturer. Formulations available in concentrates are more
economical to use.
Trichlorophenol (TCP)
It is a more eco friendly substitute for Pentachlorophenol. Ready to use (5%) solution of
this fungicide along with insecticides for broad spectrum performance are commercially
available. Concentrates which can be diluted with mineral turpentine oil are more
economical for industrial use.
Copper/Zinc soaps
They have emerged as alternatives to other organic preservatives which cause
environmental hazards. Napthenates of copper and zinc are most common (metallic
soaps). They are available as ready-to-use formulations containing appropriate amounts
of insecticides. They are slightly more expensive than TCP formulations. However, they
are more eco-friendly and also have no pungent smell.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Durability of Bamboo(/preservation/durability-of-bamboo)
Bamboo Insect Infestation(/preservation/bamboo-insect-infestation)
How to Remove BambooMold (/preservation/how-to-remove-bamboo-mold)
Leaching Bamboo(/preservation/leaching-bamboo)
69 13
Oldest First
Preview POST COMMENT…
Michael Sweet 9 months ago
Elif 9 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
9 months ago
there are bamboo structures in Asia and Latin America that are more than a
century old.
What is the quantity of chemical preservatives required to treat bamboo? Is there
any thumb rule or formula to find out the exact quantity of chemicals required the
cure one bamboo pole?
I am student of M.Tech Civil & working on a "Feasibility Analysis of a Bamboo
Treatment Plant", in which the financial aspect is very important for such plant
erection. The financial aspect requires the treatment cost of bamboo. Preservation
treatment may become a new kind of business in rural areas, so such analysis is
very important.
I would be very interested to read your findings on this. We are looking at a
possible JV bamboo processing facility with local government on a Pacific
Island. We are investigating ways of value adding for the farmers and this
would be a possible option. We propose to have them harvest bamboo and
cut into correct sizes, with equipment we will provide. Depending upon costs
we could possibly add a further option for them to value add by treating the
bamboo prior to delivery. Non-toxic would be our best option, as village
safety adherence can be an issue.
I am also interested in your findings.
So disappointed to see so many very toxic chemicals suggested. I'm looking for a
non-toxic, non-chemical finish. I remember seeing people polishing bamboo floors
with coconut husks in the Philippines. Anything like coconut oil that might be
protective?
Let the poles or the splits dry thoroughly under the sun. Then soak them in
the sea for 2 months. The dry poles and splits easily absorb the salt of the
sea. This sea-water treatment gives the bamboos at least 50 years of
protection from termites, borers and fungi. Its widely used in Asia and also
used for wood treatment. Very safe and natural, very effective and cheap
and truly long-lasting. Good luck.
There is a difference between finishes and preservatives. Finishes (such as
natural linseed oil) are used to give bamboo a desired look or to protect
them from weathering. But preservatives are used to treat the bamboo
against insect infestation.
Is it advisable to treat bamboo chemically after heat treatment? What are the
benefits?
Very fine but may I suggest to give commercial name of chemical items?!
That would be impossible as every country has different commercial names
for their products. Chemical names are much more useful as they are the
M. Tech Civil 9 months ago · 1 like
Tony Dawes 7 months ago · 1 like
Rick Subic 4 months ago
Pamela 9 months ago
Anthony Pizarro 9 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
9 months ago
Aaron 9 months ago
Ernest 9 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
9 months ago
for their products. Chemical names are much more useful as they are the
same in every country.
I am using bamboo as a moulding on the exterior of houses. I need it to be
warrantied for 20 years. What do you suggest to make it insect and rot resistant?
Would i use CCA?
Arsenic is very toxic and often prohibited, I would use CCB instead and
brush a UV and water resistant coating on it every two years.
Do you have pictures?
It seems that for sustainable low-cost treatment a borax solution is the best bet.
However, is there a supplementary method for preventing leaching so it can be
used outdoors?
Is it possible to treat bamboo by submersing in sea water? I live in the
Philippines,could I order the chemicals on line..?whats the delivery period?
Newer Post
Leaching Bamboo
(/preservation/leaching-bamboo)
Older Post
Drying Bamboo Poles
(/preservation/drying-bamboo-poles)
Guadua Bamboo, 28 Biesland, Beverwijk, NH, 1948 RJ,
Netherlands +31 (0) 627-223373 [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Stanley 9 months ago
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-
schroder/)
Stéphane Schröder
(http://www.guaduabamboo.com/stephane-schroder/)
9 months ago
Cabe 6 months ago
Joe 9 months ago
Dionisio O. Pino jr. A day ago
(Https://Www.Facebook.Com/GuaduaBambooSA)(Https://Twitter.Com/GuaduaBamboo)(Http://Www.Linkedin.Com/Company/Guadua-Bamboo)
(Http://Www.Youtube.Com/User/GuaduaBamboo)(Https://Plus.Google.Com/+GuaduaBamboo)(Http://Pinterest.Com/Guaduabamboo)
Copyright © 2007-2015 Guadua Bamboo | All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy (/privacy-policy/)
(http://www.dmca.com/Protection/Status.aspx?ID=7f6fe95d-a610-45d2-b81c-c35e0de55a41)