Color Change of Major Wood Species Planted in Indonesia by Ultraviolet Radiation

This study was performed to understand wood durability to climate deterioration of planted Indonesian wood specie such as Albizia, Gmelina, Mangium and Mindi. Wood samples were exposed to indoor and outdoor condition.L*, a*, b* and Color changes (dE*ab) were determined by a spectrophotometer. As a result, color of all samples was changed more markedly by ultraviolet radiation. In indoor test with UV, brightness of wood specimens from four species was not changed and all samples were changed into more reddish and yellowish. In accelerated weathering test, all samples were bleached and changed into more greenish and blueish. In outdoor test, brightness of wood specimens decreased in Albizia and Gmelina and increased in Mangium and Mindi. All wood specimens in outdoor test were changed into more greenish and blueish. Albizia and Gmleina woods showed greater color change than those of Mangium and Mindi. Especially, color change of wood samples might be influenced greatly by moisture. In conclusion, wood color changed into more clearly by UV radiation. Therefore, exposing woods to UV radiation could be one of reasonable methods to improve wood quality on visual characteristic.