Production and analysis of oil palm stem (OPS) plywood using its mechanical and physical properties / Hasmawi Khalid

Oil palm residue has a good potential as an alternative raw material for wood-panel industry especially plywood industry in Malaysia due to the shortage of wood supply. The oil palm residue which is abundant and left to rot in plantation mill necessitated the study into development of high quality for structural material from oil palm stem as an alternative sources and to verify its properties (physical and mechanical). Research had shown that the moisture content is the bottleneck of oil palm stem and requires suitable drying method to improve the properties of plywood products. Oil palm (Elaeisguineensis Jacq) trunk was used due to its availability in Malaysia as well as the environmental conditions. The effect of different drying methods using roller pressing (gap setting, speed), steam dryer (temperature, speed and time) and platen press (temperature and time) on oil palm stem veneer were assessed. The drying method with and without the use of roller pressing methods were also compared.