The Effect of Oil-Heat Treatment on Colour, Chemical and Mechanical Properties Of Acacia mangium

Colour changes, chemical composition and mechanical properties of oil-heat treated, 18 years old, Acacia mangium were investigated. The sapwood and heartwood of Acacia mangium underwent hot oil treatment using crude oil at temperatures of 180oC, 200oC and 220oC for 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The colour changes, chemical compositions and mechanical properties in wood were tested using chroma-meter, TAPPI standard and static bending test, respectively. ANOVA was applied to determine the significant relationship between treatment variables and wood properties. The result showed oil-heat treatment reduced the lightness of the wood and darkened both parts of wood. Holocellulose, α-cellulose, hemicellulose and extractive contents decreased with increasing duration and temperature. The strength of the wood was reduced after oil-heat treatment as a result of α-cellulose and hemicellulose degradations. The relationship between wood properties and treatment variables by ANOVA indicated that temperature is the dominant variable affecting the properties of oil-treated wood. Extractive and Klason lignin influenced the colour properties of oil-treated wood while strength of wood was attributed to the presence of high content of α-Cellulose

An overview of rattan industry status and its economic aspect in setting up rattan-based industry in Malaysia

Rattan constitutes the most abundant non-timber forest products that could be used as a substitute for wood in the form of furniture and other products in many communities, especially in Malaysia. This study makes an explorative overview of two main research topics in forest resources management which are determined the status of the rattan industry and their economics aspect in Malaysia. Malaysia is among the top most crucial rattan producers in the world. The country is experiencing a robust development in the rattan industry. This commodity plays a significant role in the Malaysia economic growth. There are a few processes or techniques which are vital in this industry. Malaysia is the second in the rank after Indonesia for the rattan industry. In addition, the viability of rattan furniture manufacturing as a business is determined through cost and profit analyses and the results discussed in this review

Processing and Properties of Oil Palm Fronds Composite Boards from <em>Elaeis guineensis</em>

Oil palm fronds are one of the biomass residues originating from oil palm plantations. It has great potential to be used as an alternative material for the composite boards industry to reduce dependency on wood-based raw materials. The fronds are obtainable all the year round and in big quantity. The oil palm fronds had been processed as compressed oil palm fronds to form such a potential composite board in this topic. A composite board from compressed oil palm fronds was produced by removing the fronds’ leaflets and epidermis. The sample was sliced longitudinally into thin layers and compressed into an identical thickness at about 2 to 3 mm. Pieces of the sample were dry using the air-dried method. They were then mixed with phenol and urea-formaldehyde of resins in the range of 12-15% and compressed again with another layer forming a composite board. Standard outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) tested for their physical and strength properties of composite board. Found that the physical and strength aspects’ properties show that the composite board possessed characteristics at par or equivalent. The composite board from compressed oil palm fronds has good prospects to be used as an alternative to wood. Thus, this characteristics can overcome the shortage in materials supply in the wood-based industry