MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF HYDROTHERMALLY TREATED OIL PALM WOOD IN DIFFERENT BUFFERED PH MEDIA

摘要

This study was carried out to determine mechanical properties of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) wood (OPW) in different buffered pH media; alkaline (pH 8), acidic (pH 5), and water at a temperature of 140 degrees C for 120 min. The OPW samples were taken from outer part of trees. The modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), the compression strength parallel to grain (PCII), and hardness strength (HB) were measured on treated and untreated samples. The different buffer media significantly affected the mechanical properties of OPW. The results showed a significant decrease of MOE, MOR, PCII, and HB of treated specimens compared with untreated specimens. The PCII and HB properties were significantly different between treated samples in water and pH 5 with the treated samples in pH 8 and also untreated samples. It was concluded that the hydrothermal treatment in the buffered medium significantly decreased the mechanical properties of treated specimens of OPW that could be related to the degradation of hemicelluloses. This will highly affect bending and tensile strengths of the OPW.