IRRDB.47, 2000

Rubberwood(Hevea brasiliensis) billets with and without bark and sawn timber, stored under water for a period of up to six months, showed no sapstain development. The modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and density decreased with storage period. However, the percentage reduction in physical and mechanical properties of wood stored under water for various durations did not show any uniform pattern. The decrease was not significant up to a storage period of three to four months. The study has shown that rubberwood stored under water for three months can be used safely for all end-use applications, except in cases where maximum compressive stress is critical. Under-water storage of rubberwood beyond four months is not recommended as far as its mechanical properties are concerned.