EFFECTS OF NATURAL DEGRADATION ON THE MECHANICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TROPICAL WOODS

In this study, three Malaysian tropical woods, namely Balau, Maranti and Rubber wood, were used to investigate the effects of natural degradation using four natural stimuli (i.e. sun, water, air and earth) on their mechanical and morphological properties. The mechanical properties of wood in terms of tensile and impact strength were analyzed and found to be significantly changed after degradation. The surface morphology of the wood samples, before and after degradation, was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM observation showed that the surface morphology of the wood samples was significantly altered after degradation. By visual observation, significant color changes were noted in the wood samples after thirty days of degradation. The tensile and impact strength of the wood samples was found to increase after water and earth degradation, however, after sun and air degradation, these properties decreased. In addition, the Balausample displayed lower water absorption compared to the Rubber and Meranti wood samples.