CHANGES IN EXTRACTIVE CONTENT ON WOOD SURFACES OF CHENGAL (<em>NEOBALANOCARPUS</em> <em>HEIMII</em>) AND EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE

Abstract

AHMAD MN, HALE MD, ABDUL KHALIL HPS & SURYANI S. 2013. Changes in extractive content on wood surfaces of chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) and effects on performance. Chemical composition of decayed surface samples from a dense, durable hardwood from building material partially exposed to weather for 50 years was investigated at various depths within the samples. Results showed that total extractive contents within the surface regions were much higher compared with the inner part. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and HPLC studies showed that the composition of extractives varied and was unevenly distributed
at different depths. However, holocellulose and lignin contents were 58 and 28% at the surface zone and increased deeper within the sample to 67 and 34% respectively.