Sifat Fisis dan Mekanis Batang Aren (Arenga longipes Mogea) Bagian Tengah

Abstract

Wood as a raw material for furniture and buildings is in short supply along with the increase in its demand by the community. Arenga trunk is a lignocellulosic material that has potential as an alternative to wood that is abundantly available and easily obtained. One type of aren palm that is widely available in Indonesia is the Arenga longipes. However, information on the characteristics of Arenga longipes stems is still relatively limited. This study aims to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the central part of the Arenga longipes palm trunk. The research design was arranged using a completely randomized design with two different factors, i.e., longitudinal direction and radial direction. The research procedure was carried out by dividing the central part of the palm trunk into 3 parts longitudinally, namely top, middle and bottom and radially, namely the outer, middle and inner parts. Physical (moisture content, shrinkage, and density) and mechanical (MOE/MOR, tensile test, and hardness) properties were tested. The test results showed moisture content (27.17 - 82.74%), density (0.31 - 0.65 g/cm3), length shrinkage (0.19 - 0.68%), width shrinkage (1.95 - 15.01%), thickness shrinkage (1.76 - 16.26%), while volume shrinkage (3.90 - 29.31%). The values of MOE (1.07 - 15.16 kgf/cm2), MOR (64.50 - 495.46 kgf/cm2), tensile strength (49.57 - 971.73 kgf/cm2), and hardness (39.97 - 472.94 kgf/cm2). The results of statistical analysis showed that in general, the interaction of longitudinal and radial stem position did not significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of palm stems. Longitudinally, the lower part of the palm trunk was better in quality than the middle and upper part. While radially, the outer part of the trunk was better than the middle and inner parts. Based on the physical and mechanical properties, the middle part of the Arenga longipes trunk is generally more suitable to be used as a material for making furniture, handicrafts and particleboard. Keywords: Arenga longipes, central palm trunk, radial direction,