Study on the effects of thermal treatment on the properties of medang wood (cinnamomum porrectum)

The market demand for timber is continuously rising now and future. However, the high- quality standard timber may not be able to encounter the use in current years due to the scarcity of timber from the forests. Therefore, wood modification technology to increase the properties of the timber is beneficial to meet the requirement for various functions and expand its life service. This study is proposed due to the shortage of high-quality timber from forests, and the Malaysians government has promoted fast-growing species to replace the timber. In this regard, thermal treatment has been developed and by exposing timber to the heat that leads to the structural changes of the timber. This research aims to study effects of thermal treatment on the physical and mechanical properties of Medang wood. Medang wood samples was processed into 300×200×30 mm in dimensions and were undergone in the treatment based on duration and temperature with three different temperatures of 150, 180 and 210 ℃, and three different duration of 30, 60 and 120 minutes. The evaluation was involving with several testing including density, weight loss, color changes, water absorption, thickness swelling, bending properties, and impact strength. The results show that the thermal modification significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of the Medang wood.