Physical and Mechanical Properties of Local Styrax Woods from North Tapanuli in Indonesia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of three species of Styrax woods from North Tapanuli in Indonesia. The woods were more than 15 years old. Physical properties such as specific gravity, green moisture content, and volume shrinkage were determined by the procedures based on BS-373 standard for small clear specimen. Furthermore, mechanical properties, including modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression parallel to grain and hardness were also tested according to the standard. Along the stem direction, the edge section had better properties compared with those near the pith section. And the base section had also better properties than upper section. Based on the specific gravity, all of the Styrax woods in this research were classified into III-IV strength classes. A good dimensional stability was demonstrated by the value of the tangential and radial ratio which reached one. With the consideration of the mechanical properties, Styrax woods were suitable use for raw materials of light construction, furniture and handy craft.