Properties Of Veneer And Moulded Chair From Sesenduk (Endospermum Diadenum)

This paper reports on the recovery rate, surface quality and the fabrication of a moulded chair prototype from sesenduk (Endospermum diadenum) veneer. Surface roughness, surface check and contact angle tests were carried out to determine the veneer properties. Sample trees were obtained from the campus of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Processed logs were peeled using a double chuck rotary peeler for round-up until core section and subsequently transferred to a spindleless peeler for an improved recovery. The average recovery rate for sesenduk veneer was 43.64% in dried condition. Surface roughness (Rz) value was 98.45 μm while the number and surface depth checking were 12 times of occurences and at mean depth of 0.67 mm respectively. A moulded chair from sesenduk veneer was fabricated by using a hot press machine. Strength, durability and safety requirement for domestic seating were tested at the Furniture Testing Laboratory (FTL) FRIM. All tests according to BS EN 12520:2010 were favourable. The overall findings showed that the veneers from sesenduk can be formed into curve-shaped products and suitable to be used in veneer-based industries, especially for furniture making.