Physical Properties of Hydrothermally Treated Rubberwood [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg.] in Different Buffered Media

The dimensional instability of rubberwood [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg.] is one the major drawbacks that limits its utilization. Therefore, treatment needed to improve these properties. Hydrothermal in different buffered media techniques stability. physical properties hydrothermally treated (pH 4, 6, 8, 10) and tap water 7.43) with temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C 200 °C) were studied. In this study, such as equilibrium moisture content (EMC), density (ρ), mass loss (ML), absorption (WA), volumetric swelling coefficient (VSC), thickness (TS) anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) investigated for both untreated specimens. Both temperature significantly affected results indicated EMC (%), ρ (kg/m3), ML VSC TS (%) samples reduced increased. With exception WA increased when from 160 but started decrease was further °C. research study also exhibited hydrothermal using at enhanced stability samples. Alkaline gave best on compared other medias.