Changes in the density, specific gravity and dimensional stability of candlenut wood (Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd.) from several variation temperatures with oil-heat treatment

Abstract

Quality of inferior woods can be improved with wood modification technology. There are some wood modification technologies available, one of them is oil-heat treatment. Candlenut wood (Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd.) is one of low-quality wood species with limited utilization. Efforts to improve the properties of wood are needed for more optimal utilization. This research was conducted to improve physical properties of candlenut wood namely density, specific gravity, and dimensional stability by applying oil-heating treatment at various temperatures (160, 180 and 200 C) for one hour. Physical properties of wood were tested according to ASTM D143-94. The result showed candlenut wood in oil-heat treatment as better than control. Density and specific gravity of wood increased by 25.13% and 26.97%, respectively, and the dimensional stability also increased as well, shown by the reduction of hygroscopic properties of wood at tangential and radial directions by 22%. The best treatment selected for candlenut wood with temperature of 160 C.