Physical and mechanical properties of five Indonesian wood treated with polystyrene

Abstract

Abstract Five Indonesian wood include sengon (Falcataria moluccana), manii (Maesopsis eminii), pinus (Pinus merkusii), duabanga (Duabanga mollucana) and maniani (Flindersia pimenteliana) were treated with polystyrene. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and mechanical properties of treated wood. Air-dried samples were placed under vacuum at 600 mmHg for 30 minutes, which was followed by immersion in monomer styrene and pressure at 10 kg/cm2 used varied for 30, 60, and 90 minutes respectively. The wood samples were then wrapped in aluminium foil and placed in an oven at 103±2 °C for 24 hours. Furthermore, the aluminium foil was removed and the samples were weighed for polymer loading calculation. The test of impregnated wood conducted by refers to the British Standard BS 373:1957, comprised of moisture content, density, water absorption, shrinkage swelling, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and hardness. Results showed that wood treatment with polystyrene could improve the physical and mechanical properties of wood.