Development of a Sustainable Wood Treatment Process for Palmyra Palm Fronds toward Furniture Production
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Abstract
This study investigated the potential of Palmyra palm frond wood preservation treatments as an alternative material for furniture production. The palm fronds were composed of 74.94 ± 2.05% moisture, 30.61 ± 17.67% cellulose, 23.54 ± 1.00% hemicellulose, and 45.36 ± 0.55% lignin. Specimens (2.5x2.5 cm) were treated with boron compounds (boric acid: borax, 1:1.5) or wood vinegar at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5%, and then tested for fungal resistance, termite resistance, and mechanical properties. The 3% boron compound treatment demonstrated optimal performance, with 55.62 ± 1.96% absorption after 6 days, significantly higher than 3% wood vinegar (46.91 ± 1.58%). Termite resistance testing revealed weight loss of 5.83 ± 0.17% for the 3% boron-treated samples compared to 11.21 ± 0.35% for wood vinegar and 23.90 ± 1.40% for untreated controls after 45 days. Mechanical testing showed numerically higher flexural strength values for boron-treated specimens (34.87 ± 4.48 N/mm2) than for controls (27.85 ± 1.10 N/mm2), although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Color stability remained acceptable with L-values decreasing from 68.60 ± 0.53 to 59.30 ± 0.44 after three months. Microscopic examination confirmed preservative penetration into the cellular structure. The optimized 3% boron compound treatment provided an economically viable and environmentally sustainable solution for utilizing abundant Palmyra palm resources in Southern Thailand, creating durable furniture components while reducing the pressure on endangered hardwood species.
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