Effects of leaching on natural durability of some tropical woods against common decay and mold fungi

Natural durability of three important tropical wood species, sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum), iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) ve doussie (Afzelia.bipindensis) were investigated against wood decay (white rot, brown rot) and stain fungi before and after leaching. Effects of several leaching regimes including water, hot water and organic solvents were evaluated. According to the results, all wood species show mass losses due to leaching procedure. Natural durability of some wood species significantly reduce while some of them zerrain unchanged. Mass losses and mold development varies based on whether leaching was applied or not or leaching process followed. Mass losses and mold development ratings were significantly higher on specimens where alcohol-toluene mixture was used for leaching.