This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of particleboards made of Acacia mangium Willd. wood, bonded with urea-formaldehyde and tannins as adhesive, against xylophagous organisms. Panels of 40 × 40 × 1.27 cm (width x length x thickness) were produced; 10, 20 and 30% of tannins were added to the adhesive; four compaction ratios (1.39; 1.55; 1.73 and 2.00) were employed. Samples of 2.50 × 2.50 × 1.27 cm (width x length x thickness) were used in the tests with fungi and termites. Gloeophyllum trabeum and Trametes versicolor (12 weeks) fungi and Nasutitermes sp. (45 days) termites were employed in the tests. Panels with the highest compaction ratio and proportion of tannins provided the most effective resistance to Gloeophyllum trabeum. No difference between the adhesives and compaction ratios was observed for Trametes versicolor. Gloeophyllum trabeum caused greater mass loss than Trametes versicolor. The samples were completely consumed by the termites.
particleboard; biodeterioration; decay fungi; subterranean termite