Peningkatan Mutu Kayu Cepat Tumbuh melalui Metode Modifikasi Non-Biosida Ramah Lingkungan

Abstract

Kayu cepat tumbuh seperti jati, akasia, mahoni, dan karet memiliki pertumbuhan yang pesat, namun mutu fisis dan mekanisnya relatif rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kombinasi modifikasi kimia-panas ramah lingkungan terhadap peningkatan mutu empat jenis kayu cepat tumbuh. Metode modifikasi dilakukan melalui impregnasi menggunakan larutan asam sitrat-gliserol konsentrasi 20% dengan tekanan 7 bar selama dua hari, dilanjutkan dengan modifikasi panas pada suhu 150 °C selama enam jam. Parameter yang diamati meliputi retensi, weight percent gain (WPG), kadar air, kerapatan, water uptake, anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), modulus of elasticity (MOE), dan modulus of rupture (MOR). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kayu yang dimodifikasi secara umum memiliki nilai ASE yang tinggi, serta kadar air kering udara dan water uptake yang rendah pada beberapa jenis kayu yang diuji. Modifikasi ini tidak berdampak negatif terhadap nilai MOE dan MOR. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kombinasi modifikasi kimia non-biosida dengan perlakuan panas mampu meningkatkan mutu kayu cepat tumbuh.

Fast-growing wood species such as teak, acacia, mahogany, and rubberwood exhibit rapid growth, but their physical and mechanical properties are relatively low. This study aims to analyze the effect of an environmentally friendly combination of chemical and thermal modification on improving the quality of four fast-growing wood species. The modification method was carried out through impregnation using a 20% citric acid–glycerol solution under a pressure of 7 bar for two days, followed by thermal treatment at 150?°C for six hours. The observed parameters included retention, WPG (weight percent gain), dry air moisture content, density, water uptake, ASE (anti-swelling efficiency), MOE (modulus of elasticity), and MOR (modulus of rupture). The results showed that the modified wood generally had high ASE values, as well as low air-dry water content and water uptake in several types of wood tested. This modification did not negatively affect the MOE and MOR values. The findings suggest that the combination of non-biocidal chemical modification and heat treatment is effective in enhancing the quality of fast-growing wood.