Comparative study of the thermogravimetric properties of plantation-grown and natural stands of Khaya ivorensis (African Mahogany) from Ghana

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Date
2022-07-20
Authors
Appiah -Kubi,Emmanuel
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Abstract
Khaya ivorensis (African Mahogany) is a valuable tropical timber species well known for its high-quality product finishes. Its properties are well known but its thermogravimetric properties have not been studied especially the plantation-grown ones. Most plantation-grown and fast-growing timber species are known to have inferior properties to naturally grown ones. The thermogravimetric properties of plantation-grown Khaya ivorensis (African Mahogany) and its natural stands were analyzed in this study. The study was conducted to compare the behaviour of both natural and plantation trees under heating. Three (3) trees each of plantation-grown and natural stands of Khaya ivorensis were used for the study. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted using a Perkin Elmer thermal analyzer, Netzsch TG209 F1 IRIS. Approximately 15 mg sample was used for the analysis at a heating rate of 20 oC/min under nitrogen with a 20 ml/min flow rate. The analysis was also conducted under an oxygen purge. The density of the trees was determined according to ASTM D2395-07. Results of the study indicated a relatively higher onset temperature of 347.9 oC for plantation-grown trees whilst natural trees had a mean onset temperature of 344 oC. Mass loss (TG) was again relatively higher in planation trees with a mean TG of 71% with an inflection temperature of 357 oC, whilst natural trees had a mean TG of 67.6% with an inflection temperature of 353.9 oC. The rate and pattern of degradation were similar for all the trees under the different heating conditions even though natural trees degraded at relatively lower temperatures.
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Comparative study of the thermogravimetric properties of plantation-grown and natural stands of Khaya ivorensis (African Mahogany) from Ghana