Study on physical and mechanical properties of Sungkai wood Peronema cenescens and Rubberwood Hevea brasiliensis after heat treatment.

Study is aim to determine the physical and mechanical properties of two different species of wood which are Sungkai wood (Peronema cenescens) and Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) after heat treatment. The wood will be treated thermally and several tests (moisture content, volumetric shrinkage and swelling, basic density, static bending test, compression test) will be done to achieve the objective of this study which to compare the changes of physical and mechanical wood properties in Sungkai (Peronema cenescens) and Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) after heat treatment and to identify the best procedure in term of heat treatment. The samples was obtained and cut into 3 different sizes. The samples then were treated at temperature 160°C, 180°C and 200°C. The moisture content, volumetric shrinkage and swelling and basic density were done to determine the physical properties while modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compression strength were performed to determine the mechanical properties. The moisture content of Sungkai (Peronema cenescens) the highest value is 9.09% while in volumetric shrinkage is 7.98%. Next, for volumetric swelling the value is 25.43% and basic density is 0.62. For modulus of rupture (MOR) the highest value is 168.23 Nmm-2, whereas for Modulus of elasticity (MOE) is 1828.13 Nmm-2 and compression strength the value is 125.29 Nmm-2. For Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) the highest value for moisture content is 9.00% and for volumetric shrinkage and swelling, the value 8.24% and 40.00% into 14.24% respectively. While for basic density the value is 0.49%. Next for Modulus of rupture (MOR) of Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) the highest value is 225.00 Nmm-2. For modulus of elasticity (MOE) the value is 2626.35 Nmm-2 and compression strength parallel to grain the highest value is 150.00 Nmm-2 . From the result, it can be concluded that the best procedure in term of temperature is at 160°C for physical properties and 180°C for mechanical properties overall for both species Sungkai wood (Peronema cenescens) and Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis). Through this study the finding is in term of strength between these two species Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is stronger compare to Sungkai wood (Peronema cenescens).