SENILE FRUIT-BEARING TREES AS POSSIBLE TIMBER ALTERNATIVE: PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The physico-mechanical properties of five senile fruit-bearing trees, i.e., caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito), durian (Durio zibethinus), kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa) rambutan, (Nephelium ramboutan-ake) and sampalok (Tamarindus indica) were tested using ASTM D143-52 (2014) standard, and their end-uses were determined. The samples were obtained from Laguna, Batangas and Butuan cities. Results showed that the C. cainito and T. indica had the lowest moisture content (MC) (64.7 and 55.1%, respectively) and highest relative density (RD) (0.737 and 0.747, respectively). On the other hand, N. ramboutan-ake and T. indica had the highest radial shrinkage (6.78 and 6.52%, respectively). Tamarindus indica also exhibited the highest longitudinal (2.01%) and volumetric shrinkage (16.7%). As for the mechanical properties, in green condition and at 12% MC, C. cainito had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) (72.40 and 109.0 MPa, respectively), modulus of elasticity (MOE) (9.91 and 14.20 GPa, respectively), compression perpendicular-to-grain (6.37 and 11.10 MPa, respectively), shear (7.92 and 12.40 MPa, respectively), and hardness: end (7.42 kN in green condition). Nephelium ramboutan-ake showed the highest SPL (42.40 and 56.80 MPa, respectively) and compression parallel-to-grain (29.30 MPa, green condition). Tamarindus indica showed the highest hardness values: side (7.20 and 11.20 kN, respectively) and toughness (59.70 and 59.70 J/spec, respectively). Based on the properties obtained, the senile fruit-bearing tree species are suitable as alternative raw materials for various end-uses.