Evaluation of the wood machining characteristics and performance of Melia azedarach L. for furniture

Abstract

The Philippine wood industry requires sustainable, indigenous alternatives to supplement limited commercial exotic species. This study evaluated the potential of Melia azedarach L. focusing on its machining characteristics and structural performance for high-value furniture manufacturing. Machining tests (ASTM D-1666-22) revealed the species has generally "Good" to "Excellent" workability across planing, turning, boring, shaping, and mortising. Optimal planing quality (98.80% defect-free area) was achieved using 25° and 30° knife hook angles, while boring quality was significantly enhanced by faster spindle speeds (2300 and 3900 rpm). Minimal defects such as chip marks, fuzzy grain, and torn grain were observed. For structural suitability, two prototype armchairs with mortise-tenon and dowel joint systems were subjected to rigorous strength and durability evaluation using ISO 7173:1989 test level 3. Both prototypes successfully passed all static, fatigue, and impact requirements without failure. The findings confirm that M. azedarach possesses favorable processing qualities and sufficient structural integrity, making it a viable and sustainable substitute material for durable furniture and high-value woodwork.

Keywords

• Melia azedarach
• wood machining
• jointing system
• furniture testing

Evaluation of the wood machining characteristics and performance of Melia azedarach L. for furniture

Abstract

Filipin ahşap endüstrisi, sınırlı sayıda ticari egzotik türün yerini dolduracak sürdürülebilir, yerli alternatiflere ihtiyaç duymaktadır. Bu çalışma, Melia azedarach L.'nin potansiyelini, yüksek değerli mobilya üretimi için işleme özelliklerine ve yapısal performansına odaklanarak değerlendirmiştir. İşleme testleri (ASTM D-1666-22), türün planyalama, tornalama, delme, şekillendirme ve oyma işlemlerinde genel olarak "İyi" ila "Mükemmel" işlenebilirliğe sahip olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. 25° ve 30° bıçak kama açıları kullanılarak optimum planyalama kalitesi (%98.80 kusursuz alan) elde edilirken, delme kalitesi daha hızlı mil hızlarıyla (2300 ve 3900 dev/dak) önemli ölçüde artırılmıştır. Talaş izleri, puslu damarlar ve yırtık damarlar gibi minimum kusurlar gözlemlenmiştir. Yapısal uygunluk açısından, zıvana ve dübel birleştirme sistemleri kullanan iki prototip koltuk, ISO 7173:1989 seviye 3 test standardı kullanılarak mukavemet ve dayanıklılık değerlendirmesine tabi tutulmuştur. Her iki prototip de tüm statik, yorulma ve darbe gerekliliklerini hatasız bir şekilde başarıyla geçti. Elde edilen bulgular; M. Azedarach odununun uygun işleme özelliklerine ve yeterli yapısal bütünlüğe sahip olduğunu ve bu sayede dayanıklı mobilya ve yüksek değerli ahşap işçiliği için uygulanabilir ve sürdürülebilir bir alternatif malzeme olduğunu doğrulamıştır.

Keywords

• Melia azedarach
• wood machining
• jointing system
• furniture testing

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