Strength and Durability of Six Fast-Growing Timber against Marine Biota as an Alternative to Hull Materials

Abstract

Ship hulls are vulnerable to attack by marine animals (barnacles and sea worms). The current scarcity of natural forest wood supplies has a negative impact on the fulfillment of good quality wood raw materials for wooden hull, especially types of Meranti batu (Shorea platyclados). The research aims to test the strength and durability of six fast-growing wood species as an alternative material for ship hulls.The method used is a laboratory test and field test.Flexural strength test based on SNI ISO 16978-2010, wood durability test based on SNI 01-7207-2006. The field test was carried out by submerging the specimens for six months in sea water, Kubu District, Rokan Hilir, Riau Province, Indonesia. Six types of wood tested were: Acacia (Acacia Mangium), Geronggang (Cratoxylon arborencens), Trembesi (Samanea saman), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus), Mahang (Macaranga gigantea Mull.Arg), and Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba (Miq)). Sea water immersion test results obtained that the wood Jabon, Acacia Mangium, Ekaliptus, and Geronggang not significantly different. The results of research on the flexural strength, Acacia Mangium wood and eucalyptus have strength equivalent to Meranti batu wood, so that it has the potential as an alternative material for hull material.