Assessment of Dimensional Stability, Mechanical Properties and Joint Bending Performance of Zanthoxylum gilletii (Okuo) for Furniture Applications

Abstract

Delle Desire Domekyiir

The depletion and rising cost of well-known commercial timbers such as Enthandrophragma cylindricum, Khaya ivorensis, Terminalia superba and Milicia excelsa highlights the need to promote lesser-used species (LUS) for utilization. This study assessed some properties of Zanthoxylum gilletii, an abundant but underutilized tropical hardwood in Ghana as a potential substitute for some near-extinct Well-known species. Three trees of each of Z. gilletii and E. cylindricum were harvested at the Bobiri Forest reserve in Kumasi, Ghana. Sample were prepared in axial directions (top, middle and bottom), and redial directions (heartwood and sapwood) of the stem portions. Test conducted were swelling, shrinkage, MOE, MOR and bending strength of two selected joints (splayed-mortise and mortise-tenon joints). At 12% moisture content, the mean modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) for Z. gilletii ranged from 86.08 ± 4.52 to 132.25 ± 4 N/mm2 and 8,474.10 ± 754.3 to 9,263.80 ± 494.1 N/mm2, respectively. Corresponding values for E. cylindricum ranged from 84.15 ± 2 to 109.50 ± 3 N/mm2 (MOR) and 8,292.90 ± 492.9 to 9,616.70 ± 705.9 N/mm2 (MOE). Results revealed that Z. gilletii exhibits comparable shrinkage, swelling, mechanical properties and joints performance and workability, confirming its suitability as an alternative to WKS for furniture and structural applications, thereby supporting sustainable forest resource management.

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