WASTE TO VALUE: TRANSFORMING TEAKWOOD SAWDUST INTO ARTIFICIAL COMPOSITE BOARDS

Abstract

The development industry continuously seeks innovative technological advancements in machining to enhance productivity and product quality while ensuring cost-effectiveness for competing in the global market. A significant focus lies on exploring the potential of natural-synthetic material combinations with desirable mechanical and physical properties, particularly in industries dealing with particle/powder food processing, biomass briquettes, paving blocks, and particle boards.

In the Aceh region, where wood processing industries, specifically teakwood, are prevalent, the production of windows, chairs, panels, and accessories generates substantial waste in the form of sawdust and wood particles. This waste, often left unutilized or merely burned as fuel, could be transformed into value-added products, such as artificial composite boards, through appropriate technology utilization. This study aims to explore the possibility of creating artificial composite boards from teakwood sawdust and polyester resin adhesive.

Previous studies have investigated the composition of teakwood sawdust with various materials, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and natural fibers like candlenut, teak, and merbau. These studies have revealed the impact of mixing ratios on the mechanical and physical properties of composites, such as strength and impact resistance. Moreover, research has been conducted on the utilization of mixed powder saws from teakwood and sugarcane fiber dregs, demonstrating their potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to styrofoam.

In this context, this research focuses on exploring the effect of particle size on the physical and mechanical properties of teakwood sawdust combined with epoxy resin. Additionally, a study on reinforced epoxy resin composite with powder saws investigates its mechanical and physical properties. Furthermore, the optimization of the mixture of teakwood powder and various resin combinations is explored to achieve the most suitable composite with optimal mechanical properties.By employing specific mesh size powder saws combined with SHCP 2668 WNC polyester resin, this research analyzes various physical and mechanical properties of the composites, including density, moisture content, thickness expansion, MOE, and MOR, following SNI 03-2105-2006 standards.