Kualitas kayu mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) hasil kegiatan HTI umur delapan tahun

Abstract

Wood quality of 8 years-old mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) is studied and compared to that of the natural one. All samples ore obtained from one location of timber estate (HTI) area in Sumatera. The aim o f this study is to evaluate the wood quality based on its fiberlength and some physical-mechanical properties. The length offiber is measured individually after macerating using FPL modified method, while other wood properties ore carried our following BS373:1957 for small clear specimens. The results show that: a) Average values of fiberlength, specific gravity, volumetric shrinkage -from green to the EMC, MOE, MOH, compressive strengrh parallel to the grain, tensile strength perpendicular to the grain, and wood hardness are 1.03 mm, 0.52. 5.98%, 102750 kg/cm2, 628 kg/an , 303.33 kg/cm. 36.50 kg/cm2, and 278.83 kg/cm1, respectively. These values tend to decrease from basal to the top. and also tend to vary horizontally. In general, sapwood is weaker than heartwood, b) Compared to the mangium from natural forest area, wood quality of mangium from HTI is lower since its fiberlength, specific gravity, MOE, MOR. compressive strength parallel to the grain, tensile strength perpendicular to the grain and wood hardness IS smaller than that of the natural one; while its volumetric shrinkage from green to the EMC is higher.