Comparative Study of Moisture Content, Density, and Bending Strength of Azadirachta indica and Senna siamea under Cold and Steam Methods |Chapter 6 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 10

 

Wood bending is regarded as the most economical, efficient, and resource-conserving way for fabricating strong and long-lasting components among the several techniques for shaping curved parts. Moisture content significantly influences the mechanical properties of wood, while wood density plays a crucial role in bending performance, with higher density often correlating with enhanced bending behaviour. In Ghana, limited studies have investigated the steam and cold bending properties of sapwood and heartwood. The present study investigated the steam and cold bending strength of sapwood and heartwood from two underutilised timber species, Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Senna siamea (Cassia), to evaluate their viability as alternatives to conventional species such as Khaya ivorensis (African Mahogany) in the furniture and joinery industries. A total of eighty specimens, including both sapwood and heartwood samples, were prepared and evaluated. The physical characteristics, including moisture content and basic density, were evaluated according to the EN 13183-1 (2002) and ISO 3131 (1975) standards. The bending characteristics were assessed using the form tool method at both cold and steam temperatures. The mixed ANOVA result revealed significant variability among the species and wood segments. Neem had the highest moisture content of 88.15%, whilst Cassia heartwood displayed the lowest, and sapwood had 47.50%. The density analysis indicated that Cassia heartwood displayed the highest basic density of 898 kg/m³, whereas Neem sapwood registered the lowest of 674.61 kg/m³. The results demonstrated that Cassia heartwood displayed exceptional performance in both cold and steam bending, achieving up to 85% undamaged samples during steam bending, therefore categorising it in Quality Class I. Neem sapwood exhibited greater performance compared to heartwood in steam bending, classifying it in Quality Class II. A direct correlation between wood density and bending strength was noted, as demonstrated by the elevated density and enhanced bending performance of Cassia heartwood in both cold and steam bending methods. This study indicates that Neem and Cassia possess favourable steam bending strength, making them suitable for furniture and joinery applications. It advocates for the use of Cassia and Neem as sustainable alternatives to traditionally harvested species, contributing to forest conservation efforts in Ghana.

 

 

Author(s) Details

John Lawer Narh
Accra Technical University, P.O. Box GP 561, Accra, Ghana.

 

Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi
Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.

 

Isaac Agyei-Boakye
Accra Technical University, Ghana.

 

Peter Kessels Dadzie
Kumasi Technical University, Ghana.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v10/6235