A Study on Dimensional Stability and Thermal Performance of Superheated Steam Treated and Thermal Compressed Wood

Abstract

Recently, wood is attracting attention as green building interior decoration material. When wood is used as building interior decoration material, excellent dimensional stability and thermal performance is required. In this study, superheated steam treatment process and thermal compression process were applied to flat sawn Pinus koraiensis wood panel in order to improve dimensional stability and thermal performance. According to results of this study, superheated steam treatment process and thermal compression process improve thermal performance and dimensional stability of wood, especially in tangential direction. The spring back in radial direction reduces the effect of thermal compression on dimensional stability of wood in radial direction.