FT Unud Internship Students Research the Potential of Tropical Wood as Thermal Insulation and Vibration-Damping Material

• Posted by: Admin
• Rabu, 16 September 2026
• Has been read 20 time(s)

Internship students from the Faculty of Engineering, Udayana University (FT Unud), conducted research on the utilization of Indonesian tropical wood as an alternative material for thermal insulation and vibration damping in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.

This research is part of academic and research activities in the field of Energy Engineering, focusing on the characteristics of several natural materials, namely coconut, Arenga pinnata, Albizia chinensis, and Indian rosewood, with cork used as a comparative material.

The testing was conducted to investigate the microstructural characteristics, thermal properties, and vibration damping capabilities of each material. The findings indicate that the structure and porosity level of the materials influence their ability to inhibit heat transfer.

Arenga pinnata has a relatively porous structure and demonstrates potential as a thermal insulation material. Meanwhile, coconut showed relatively high vibration damping capability compared to the other materials tested.

The damping test results showed values of approximately 9.26 percent for coconut, 8.64 percent for Albizia chinensis, 5.69 percent for Indian rosewood, and 3.68 percent for cork. Meanwhile, Arenga pinnata recorded a value of approximately 1.38 percent.

These differences in characteristics indicate that each material has different potential applications depending on specific requirements. The findings open opportunities for the development of materials based on local natural resources as alternatives to support energy efficiency and building comfort.

For FT Unud internship students, this research activity also provides valuable hands-on experience in material characterization, testing, and analysis of research results. Student involvement in research is expected to strengthen their academic competencies as well as their ability to apply engineering knowledge to address future technological needs.

Further research on Indonesian tropical wood can be developed through additional testing, particularly regarding resistance to moisture, temperature, and fire, as well as material performance in direct applications within HVAC systems.

Source Video :