The aims of this work were to determine the color change and physical–mechanical properties of polystyrene glulam from three tropical wood species. Wood laminas were cut from logs harvested from a young plantation forest of manii (Maesopsis eminii), mangium (Acacia mangium), and rubber-wood (Hevea brasiliensis). The laminas were impregnated with monomer styrene that was polymerized using potassium peroxy-disulfate as a catalyst and heat. Three-layer glulam was constructed from the polystyrene laminas, using isocyanate glue and cold press. For comparison purposes, three-layer untreated glulam and solid wood samples were prepared. The results showed that the color change of polystyrene glulam was very small compared with untreated glulam. Polystyrene glulam had the highest density, while the density of untreated glulam did not differ from that of the solid wood. The moisture content of all products was matched to the environment, and fulfilled the Japanese standard. Compared with both types of glulams, solid wood had lower values for modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and hardness, but higher shear strength. Meanwhile, polystyrene glulam had lower values for MOR and MOE, equal shear strength and wood failure, and higher hardness than the untreated glulam. All glulams had very little delamination in the hot water test. Only rubber-wood glulams fulfilled JAS 234-2003 for MOR, MOE, shear strength, and delamination. To obtain adequate physical–mechanical properties of glulams, medium-density wood is recommended for glulam manufacturing.

Bambu merupakan sumber daya potensial sebagai bahan alternatif untuk substitusi kayu. Tulisan ini mempelajari pengaruh kadar perekat dan ukuran untai bambu terhadap sifat papan untai bambu berarah (OSB atau oriented strand Board). Bambu yang digunakan adalah bambu tali (Gigantochloa apus (J.A. & J.H. Schultes) Kurz), sedangkan perekatnya adalah fenol formaldehida cair. Papan OSB skala laboratorium dibuat dari masing-masing ukuran panjang untai (7,5, 10, dan 15 cm) dengan kadar perekat bervariasi yaitu 6, 7, dan 8% dari berat kering partikel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa OSB bambu tali yang dibuat memiliki kerapatan rata-rata 0,75 g/cm3. Sifat fisis dan mekanis OSB bambu sangat dipengaruhi oleh kadar perekat yang digunakan, kecuali modulus elastisitas. Semakin tinggi kadar perekat semakin baik sifat OSB bambu yang dihasilkan. Modulus elastisitas OSB bambu sangat dipengaruhi oleh ukuran untai. Semakin panjang ukuran untai semakin tinggi nilai MOE OSB bambu yang dihasilkan. OSB bambu tali yang dibuat dengan berbagai perlakuan semuanya memenuhi persyaratan Standar Nasional Indonesia, Standar Jepang untuk papan partikel tipe 24 dan memenuhi persyaratan Standar Inggris untuk OSB penggunaan struktural yang digunakan pada kondisi kering (Tipe OSB/2) maupun kondisi lembap (Tipe OSB/3).