Specific Gravity and Dimensional Stability of Boron-Densified Wood on Three Lesser-Used Species from Indonesia

Effect of pre-treatment and compression ratio on specific gravity (SG) and dimensional stability improvement of three lesser-used wood species from natural forest area of North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia had been investigated. Hot soaking at 80 ℃ for 3 hours within 2 and 5% of boron solution was applied as pre-treatment, while compression ratio applied was 20 and 40% from the initial thickness. Densification was conducted using hot pressing machine at 30 kg/cm2 of pressure and 160 ℃ of temperature for 15 minutes. Specific gravity was measured gravimetrically, while dimensional stability was evaluated through thickness swelling and water absorption as the indicator. Results show that SG of densified wood was influenced by wood species and compression ratio, but not by pre-treatment applied; while dimensional stability was influenced by wood species, compression ratio, and pre-treatment. Specific gravity and water absorption of densified wood was improved significantly. Specific gravity increased 28.86-63.03%, while water absorption decreased 12.80-15.89%. Thickness swelling of 20% densified wood was lower than that of 40% densified wood.