Ensayo de penetrabilidad de dos preservantes a base de boro en madera de melina (Gmelina arborea) crecida en Costa Rica.

Boron compounds are used as indoor wood preservatives, they have some advantages compared to other products such as: do not change the natural color of the wood, low toxicity for humans, fire retardant properties and highly effective against decay fungi and insects. In this research the penetrability of two boron compounds in wood (borax and boric acid solution and organic-poliborate solution), was evaluated. Treatment methods used were dip-diffusion and brush-diffusion. Significant differences on penetrability associated to moisture content of wood (MC) and diffusion period were found. Also, suitable diffusion periods for both preservatives, assuring a good penetration of preservative into the wood, was determinated. These results are important because make it possible to generate knowledge for the use of both preservatives in melina lumber.