Abstract
Malaysia is one of the biggest producers of palm oil in the world but the oil palm wood is considered as waste after final harvesting. A huge and inexpensive availability of oil palm trunk (OPT) can be a sustainable source of alternative wood for various structural applications, if it can be utilized. The objective of this work was to prepare a steamed treated compressed OPT lumber and evaluate the physical, chemical and biological properties of modified wood. In this technique OPT samples were steamed at temperature 130 °C for 2 h before being compressed at high temperature. Wettability of the steam compressed OPT was analysed by contact angle method and observed it was reduced as compared to simply compressed OPT. Samples were exposed to outdoor conditions to evaluate their resistance against biological deterioration. Microscope and X-ray diffraction analyses of the samples were also carried out. Steamed compressed OPTs exhibited improved resistance against biodegradation probably due to the increase of extractives in it, as compared to simply compressed OPTs. It seems that steaming in combination of compressing at high temperature would enhance the properties of OPTs.
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