Termite Resistance of Polyvinyl Chloride Plastics in Southern Temperature and Tropical Environments. Effect of Plasticizers and Insecticides

摘要

One phase of the investigation on the termite resistance of various experimental polymeric materials has been completed. Thirty-two formulations containing polyvinyl chloride resin were prepared incorporating, variously, four plasticizers and three toxicants. 320 specimens were exposed for 75 months in the Panamanian jungle and another 320 specimens were exposed for 60 months in the pine woods of Mississippi. Virtually all formulations containing dioctyladipate as the plasticizer at all exposure sites had become shrunken and embrittled. In Panama, formulations plasticized with tricresyl phosphate fortified with the ortho isomer were the least damaged, either with or without toxicant present. Conversely, in Mississippi, less attack was noted on the tri-p-cresyl phosphate than the tri-p-cresyl phosphate fortified with the ortho isomer. The toxicants were lindane, dieldrin, and aldrin.