Muna teakwood, especially from old stands, has been popular as raw material for timber industries in Indonesia for the past ten decades. Due to the scarcity of this wood, superior-grown seedlings of Muna teakwood have been developed and widely planted. Since there is no information on its characteristics, therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate wood characteristics of the 8-year-old superior-grown teak from Muna Island to ensure their proper utilization as raw material for wooden furniture. Wood discs and boards from basal area of three different trees were used as the samples. Macroscopic and microscopic anatomical characteristics were observed following the IAWA's list, while their physicalmechanical properties were measured following British Standard 373-57. Results showed that anatomical characteristics of this wood sample are similar to regular teakwood, but its heartwood portion is higher. Differences among trees are found in regards to wood texture, growth ring width, as well as early and latewood portion. The green moisture content was lower than that of fast-growing teak of a similar age. The wood is more stable than the old teakwood, but its specific gravity is lower. In general, mechanical properties of this wood were higher than those of the regular fast-growing teakwood, but lower than the old one. Based on its specific gravity, this superior Muna teakwood was categorized as a Strength Class of III. The wood is suitable enough for wooden furniture manufacturing.

Four fast-growing wood species, jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba), lento-lento (Arthrophyllum diversifolium), acacia (Acacia mangium) and pulai (Alstonia spp.), can be easily found in many areas of the South Sulawesi Community Forest. This research evaluates basic properties (physical, mechanical and chemical) and nanostructure of the woods of each species. Physical and mechanical properties were analyzed according to SNI 03-6847-2002 and ASTM D 143-2005, while the chemical components were analyzed according to TAPPI Standard. The nanostructure was determined by X-ray diffraction. The density, lignin, cellulose and nanostructure (the degree of crystallinity) analysis indicated that lento-lento and pulai would potentially produce a composite product superior especially binderless to that made from acacia and jabon wood. Acacia and jabon have a high density and a high lignin content with a low cellulose content. KeywordsBasic properties Nanostructure Jabon wood Pulai wood Lento-lento wood Acacia wood Testing and Materials (2005) Basic properties and nanostructure of wood from four fast growing spe... References ASTM American Standard for

Quality of inferior woods can be improved with wood modification technology. There are some wood modification technologies available, one of them is oil-heat treatment. Candlenut wood (Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd.) is one of low-quality wood species with limited utilization. Efforts to improve the properties of wood are needed for more optimal utilization. This research was conducted to improve physical properties of candlenut wood namely density, specific gravity, and dimensional stability by applying oil-heating treatment at various temperatures (160, 180 and 200°C) for one hour. Physical properties of wood were tested according to ASTM D143-94. The result showed candlenut wood in oil-heat treatment as better than control. Density and specific gravity of wood increased by 25.13% and 26.97%, respectively, and the dimensional stability also increased as well, shown by the reduction of hygroscopic properties of wood at tangential and radial directions by 22%. The best treatment selected for candlenut wood with temperature of 160°C.

The wood has a high decorative value that can be turned into handicraft products. To optimize the use of small dimensions wood, handicraft products can be made into laminated wood. An attempt to improve the aesthetic value of wood is by adding dyes into the wood. This study aimed to analyse the ability of Gmelina arborea (hardwood) and Pinus merkusii (softwood) to absorb dyes and the effect of dyeing on bonding strength of laminated wood. Wood planks members (lamellae) that form laminated wood were soaked into direct dyes liquid with soaking time of 0 hours, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. The results showed retention and penetration dyes of Pinus merkusii ranged between 0.00013 g/cm3-0.0003 g/cm3 and 2.98%-8.22%, while retention and penetration of Gmelina arborea ranged between 0.00004 g/cm3-0.00018 g/cm3 and 1.59%-4.77%. Retention and penetration tend to increase at dyeing time up to 12 hours. Bonding strength of Pinus merkusii ranged between 26.61 kg/cm2-90.05 kg/cm2 while bonding strength of Gmelina arborea ranged between 66.97 kg/cm2-96.12 kg/cm2. Based on the result of statistical analysis, type of wood, and the coloration have a real effect on bonding strength of laminated wood. Based on the consideration of resource, efficiency and the results of statistical analysis, 6 hours of dyeing is more efficient in planning of laminated wood material for handicraft products.

Binderless composite plywood has been developed to produce formaldehyde-free composite product. Our previous research has shown that the application of oxidation treatment can be applied in the manufacture of composite plywood without adhesive. Presence of veneer in solid sheet are potentially to complicate in the oxidation process due to the reaction was very affected by accessibility of chemical component of raw materials. The main objective of this study was to determine characteristic of binderless composite plywood of Sengon wood. Variations in the physical and mechanichal properties with respect to veneer layer construction and oxidant composition of veneer and particle were analyzed.. Composite plywood were produced consist of various layers, they were 3, 5, and 7 layers means each type using 2, 3, and 4 veneers layers respectively. There were four oxidant composition between veneer and particles, namely 1 : 3, 1 : 4, 1 : 5 and 1 : 6. The results showed that the differences of composite plywood structure layers affect the characteristics of produced composite plywood. 7-layer structure and 1 : 3 of oxidant composition was the optimum combination to produce composite plywood with the best characteristics.