PRE-DESIGN OF WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITE INDUSTRY USING RECYCLED POLYPROPYLENE PLASTIC AND GMELINA (GMELINA ARBOREA ROXB.) WOOD BARK FOR OUTDOOR DECKING: PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITE MIXED WITH RECYCLED POLYPROPYLENE AND GMELINA WOOD (GMELINA ARBOREA ROXB.) WITH COMPOSITION AND PARTICLE SIZE VARIATIONS

• Main Author: Nawafil Al Hamdani, Achmad
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/77158
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) is one type of fast-growing tree species that is widely cultivated in community forests. Each Gmelina roundwood has a bark content ranging from 9.31% to 12.05%, which typically becomes waste. On the other hand, plastic production, including polypropylene plastic, reaches significant amounts, leading to substantial environmental pollution potential. Therefore, an alternative approach is needed to utilize both of these wastes in the form of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). WPC is a composite wood board consisting of a plastic matrix and wood in the form of powder or fibers as a filler acting as reinforcement. This research aims to determine the influence of composition and particle size on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the composite of wood plastic mixed with recycled polypropylene and Gmelina wood, as well as its conformity with JIS A 5908:2003 and SNI 03-2105-2006 standards. Wood plastic composites were made with variations in powder:plastic composition, namely 40%:60% (P60), 30%:70% (P70), 20%:80% (P80), and 0%:100% (P100), as well as variations in particle size, namely 40-60 mesh (M40), 60-80 mesh (M60), and 80-100 mesh (M80). Maleic anhydride (MAH) was added at 5% of the matrix's weight. The reference testing standards were JIS A 5908:2003 and SNI 03-2105-2006. In the physical property testing, including density, moisture content, water absorption, and thickness swelling, all boards with different treatments met the standards. In the MOE testing, none of the boards with different treatments met the standards, while in the internal bond testing, all boards with different treatments met the standards. As for the MOR testing, hardness, and screw holding power, some samples met both standards. The M40P80 treatment produced the best wood plastic composite.