Termite corrosion
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D
ear Editor:
I enjoyed the feature article on termites (February 2004 issue) and would like to add another example of termite-induced damage to the story. Figure 1 shows a very old communications cable, consisting of copper wires insulated with paper and surrounded by 3 mm thick lead sheathing. The cable was buried in soil for a long period of time (years) before being examined. The lead sheathing has through wall corrosion tunnels/ holes and some of the paper insulation had been pulled through the holes. The damage was caused by termites (see Fig. 2)! I think it is valid to consider the attack a form of corrosion since the word “corrode” comes from the Latin corrodere meaning “to gnaw away” (“rodent” has the same root.) What I’d like to know is how the termites knew that
Fig. 1
Old, formerly buried, communications cable showing corrosion damage
there was something edible inside the lead sheathing! It’s certainly frightening to see what termites can do to wooden structures—I have had infestations in my office and termites have caused considerable damage to other buildings on the site. Stan Lynch Defence Science and Technology Organisation Melbourne, Australia
Fig. 2
Termites at holes in the communications cable
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Volume 4(3) June 2004
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
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