Dimensional stability and strength properties of oil palm lumber with bioresin treatment
The purpose of this study was to measure the dimensional stability and strength properties of oil palm lumber treated with gull1 rosin. A total 30 of oil palm trees of high yielding tenera variety were obtained from Sungei Kahang Estate in Johor. For basic properties, test samples in pith to periphe...
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| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to measure the dimensional stability and strength properties of oil palm lumber treated with gull1 rosin. A total 30 of oil palm trees of high yielding tenera variety were obtained from Sungei Kahang Estate in Johor. For basic properties, test samples in pith to periphery zone at different tree heights were analyzed by using various analytical techniques. All tests were conducted according to standard test procedures. Based on results, basic properties related parameters that include moisture content (MC) and basic density of oil palm lumber were highly dependent on the distance in radial plane with tree heights. With regards the resin treatment, oil palm billets were sawn into lumber scantlings and dried to 10 ± 2% MC. After drying, dried lumber was impregnated with a gum rosin using a vacuum infusion system and followed by a densification process. With the introduction of grooves and channels, the resin flow were dispersed homogenously within the lumber matrix. The dimensional stability of densified resin treated lumber was determined by measuring its antiswelling efficiency (ASE) while three point bending procedure were employed for flexural strength properties. A positive ASE value indicated that the gum rosin had penetrated into the cell wall and subsequently cross-linked, leading to bulking along interestial spaces of parenchyma cells. The flexural strength of densified gum rosin-treated lumber was significantly stronger that those lumbers devoided of gum rosin, which in turn, was related to their basic properties related parameters. These results collectively should provide some insight to understanding of factors that influence the physical and mechanical properties of oil palm trunk, which when combined with a corresponding changes in material handling and processing may point the way forward to a satisfactory conversion and efficient utilization for sawn lumber productions. |
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