Physical and mechanical properties of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) dyed with Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Abstract

Blue staining on rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is a common kind of defect. There currently exists much research focused on the prevention and control of blue staining. However, little research has been concentrated on the utilization of blue staining for green dyeing. The research conveyed in this paper primarily used Lasiodiplodia theobromae to dye rubberwood, and used scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) to analyze the commission internationale eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* value of color, the contact angle, the pH value, 24-h water absorption, mass loss ratio, and compressive strength in increments between 5 and 40 days. The results found that the color of rubberwood became darker and more uniform, and that the surface dyed with fungi can reach a super-hydrophobic state. With the increase of time, the pH value of rubberwood changed from acidic to alkaline. Furthermore, hyphae entered the wood mainly through vessels for their large pore diameter, and reduced water absorption. Mass loss ratio increased gradually between 5 and 40 days. The research in this paper concludes that the microorganism was an effective method of wood dyeing, and lays a foundation for further research.