Arida Susilowati

Effect of particle treatment and adhesive type on physical, mechanical, and durability properties of particleboard made from Sorghum Bagasse

Refers to chemical content of sweet sorghum stalk especially for Numbu varian, sorghum bagasse issuitable for materials of particleboard. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate of particle treatment on physichal, mechanical, and durability properties of particleboard made from sorghum bagasse. For particle treatment, Sorghum bagasse immersed in cold water and hot water for 24 and 1 hours respectively. Particleboards were produced in size 25 by 25 cm2 with thickness and density target of 0.8 cm and 0.7 g/cm3. Amount of 10% Urea formaldehyde (UF) and 7% isocyanat (MDI) adhesive level used for manufacturing of board. Particle and adhesive were blended with rotary blending. Afterward, it was placed into mat former with size of 25 by 25 cm2. Mat was pressed by hot press machine. The pressing was conducted on 130°C temperature for UF resin and 160°C for MDI resin, pressure of 25 kg/cm2 and pressing time for 10 minutes. The results showed that particle soaking in hot water produced of lower thickness swelling compared to untreated board. Similar trend also occuron particleboard whichwas bonded with MDI resin. MDI as exterior adhesive resulted good performance in dimensional stability of sorghum bagasse particleboard. For UF bonded particleboard, immersing in hot water resulted in the low MOR, MOE and IB parameter. Its contrary with MDI bonded particleboard.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Local Styrax Woods from North Tapanuli in Indonesia

The objective of this research was to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of three species of Styrax woods from North Tapanuli in Indonesia. The woods were more than 15 years old. Physical properties such as specific gravity, green moisture content, and volume shrinkage were determined by the procedures based on BS-373 standard for small clear specimen. Furthermore, mechanical properties, including modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression parallel to grain and hardness were also tested according to the standard. Along the stem direction, the edge section had better properties compared with those near the pith section. And the base section had also better properties than upper section. Based on the specific gravity, all of the Styrax woods in this research were classified into III-IV strength classes. A good dimensional stability was demonstrated by the value of the tangential and radial ratio which reached one. With the consideration of the mechanical properties, Styrax woods were suitable use for raw materials of light construction, furniture and handy craft.

Morphological and Anatomical Evaluation of Grafted Pinus merkusii

Morphological and anatomical evaluation of grafted P. merkusii have been undertaken to obtain the information about compatible and incompatible symptoms of 18 years old grafts based on morphological observation and microscopic analysis. Samples of compatible and incompatible grafts were obtained from previous research conducted by the Silviculture Departement Team in 1994. Result showed that compatible grafts have normal stem form and secondary growth (diameter growth), but some abnormality symptoms like undulated pattern of annual growth rings, phloem thickening and abnormality resin ducts in inner and middle parts of the union area occurred. Incompatible ones showed abnormality of the stem form, cortex-bark necrosis and swelling in the union area. Microscopic observation showed abnormality of all parts of the union, undulated pattern of annual growth rings, phloem thickening, abnormal resin ducts, low numbers and discontinuity of vascular elements in the union area.