Laboratory screening of thermo-mechanically densified and thermally modified timbers for resistance to the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata

Thermo-mechanically densified material of five different wood species (English oak, European ash, European beech, Norway spruce, poplar) was subjected to three different vacuum-heat treatment processes (A 230 °C/20% vacuum; B 230 °C/80% vacuum; C 240 °C/20% vacuum) and tested for its resistance against the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata by comparing their faecal pellet production rates. The three different treatments caused a notable reduction in the feeding rates of up to 66% indicating significantly increased durability against Limnoria if exposed to marine environment. Neither the treatment temperature nor the application of a higher vacuum affected the faecal pellet production significantly.