dc.description.abstract | Belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) culms are considered as high-value raw materials that are widely used in construction. One of the constraints on bamboo is its susceptibility to attacks by destructive organisms, so chemical modification is needed to increase durability and weakness. One of the modification methods used is impregnation with 100 % polystyrene mixed with potassium peroxide-disulfate catalyst (1:0.01 v/v). The purpose of this study was to analyze the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) Modified with Polystyrene at various Impregnation Pressures to obtain optimal pressure. Raw materials in the form of belangke bamboo lamina were impregnated with polystyrene and vacuumed for 30 minutes and continued to press for 30 minutes at a pressure of 2 Bar, 4 Bar and 6 Bar. Laminated bamboo was then tested for its physical properties, namely, density, water content, Weight Percent Gaint (WPG), water absorption, thickness swelling. Continued with mechanical testing, Modulus Of Elasticity (MOE), Modulud Of Repture (MOR), and compression parallel to the grain, then analyzed with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Non-Factorial. The results of the physical properties study showed an average value of the test ranging from 0.77–0.82 g/cm³, water content 7.93-8.21 %, WPG 4.72-10.39 %, water absorption 36.56-39.85 %, thickness expansion 10.78-12.58 %. Mechanical properties testing showed the MOE testing ranged from 214214-405427 kg/cm²,MOR 1258-3468 kg/cm², and compression parallel to the grain 531-860 kg/cm². The results showed that impregnation treatment using polystyrene at various impregnation pressures had a significant effect on the WPG, MOE, MOR and compression parallel to the grain values. Impregnation pressure of 6 bar provided the most optimal pressure in testing WPG, density, water absorption, thickness swelling, MOE, MOR, compression parallel to the grain. Impregnation pressure of 6 bar provides the most optimal pressure in testing WPG, density, water absorption, thickness swelling, MOE, MOR, compression parallel to the grain. | en_US |