Physical and mechanical properties of four wood species from community forests in Binjai Regency, North Sumatra

Abstract

The fundamental properties of wood are significant to determine the purposes of wood used. This study aims to determine the physical and mechanical properties of four wood species namely terap (Artocarpus odoratissimus ), durian (Durio zibethinus), mindi (Melia azedarach L.), and karet or rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) from community forests in the Binjai Regency, North Sumatra. The physical properties were determined as described in ASTM D4442 and ASTM D2395 while the mechanical properties were conducted according to ASTM D143 and BS 373. The results showed the moisture contents of four wood species ranged 12.66– 15.28%, densities 0.35–0.59 gcm-3, and specific gravities (SG) 0.33–0.55. The compression, tensile and shear strengths parallel to the grain, hardness, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) ranged 20–35 MPa, 36–80 MPa, 6.5–9.7 MPa, 1713–3226 N, 5463– 7497 MPa and 43–71 MPa, respectively. Based on the SG and MOR values, the terap wood is included in strength class IV, while the other woods are in strength class III. Meanwhile, based on the compression strength values, the terap wood is included in strength class V, durian and mindi wood are in strength class IV, while karet wood is in strength class III.