PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALBIZIA FALCATARIA FROM TAMIL NADU

摘要

Physical and mechanical properties in green and dry conditions based on tests conducted on small clear specimens obtained from eight logs of Albizia falcataria from Tamil Nadu have been reported. The results obtained have been compared with Tectona grandis (Teak). Timber of this species is classified as moderately heavy, weak, not tough, moderately steady and very soft. Suitability indices of the species have also been evaluated. Based on it their end uses have been recommended. Albizia falcataria L.Forberg. (Sy. Paraserianthes falcataria), Albizia falcata (L) Back., A. moluccan (Miq.) is a deciduous forest tree having natural habitat in Indonesia. It is one of the fast growing broad leaved species of the family mimosoideae. The species does not prefer any specified soil and can be planted upto an altitude of 1350 m. In India the plantation of this species have been raised since a decade in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Andamans for its utilisation in manufacture of match splints. Exhaustive testing for the evaluation of its strength properties grown in the country has not been conducted. However, some information on these aspects of timber grown in other countries are available. In this paper physical and mechanical properties and suitability for different end uses of this timber are reported.