Effects of Eco-frendly Hot Oil Treatment on the Wood Properties of Gmelina Aborea and Cocos Nucifera

Most of wood in Indonesia is dominated by fast-growing wood such as gmelina (Gmelina arborea) and materials such as coconut (Cocos nucifera). Using fast-growing woood natural forests, increase economic growth, and is more environment friendly. The objective of this study was to improve the wood properties of G. arborea and C. nucifera via hot oil treatment. The experiment was conducted in a lab-scale furnace using a commercial grade palm oil at 180°C, 200°C, 220°C, and 240°C for 3 h. The effect of hot oil treatment on color change, physical, and mechanical properties was evaluated. The results showed that increasing treatment temperature increase of the overall color change (ΔE*) in both G. arborea and C. nucifera. The density of G. arborea and C. nucifera decreased with increased temperature. The results also showed that increase in temperature reduced the moisture content, density and water absorption in both woods. The compressive strength of G. arborea and C. nucifera decreased with the increase in treatment temperature.