Abstract
This study is a continuation of a previous study published in this journal, with the aim of evaluating the effect of the Brazilian industrial thermal modification process on some physical properties of Eucalyptus grandis juvenile wood. Flatsawn boards of juvenile wood were tested for four treatment levels: untreated and thermally modified wood at final cycle temperatures of 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C. Physical properties were assessed according to a standard of the Comision Panamericana de Normas Tecnicas and a method proposed by the specialized literature encompassing equilibrium moisture content (a measure of wood’s hygroscopicity), density (oven-dried and air-dried) and radial, tangential and volumetric swelling (from oven-dried to green moisture content). Thermally modified Eucalyptus grandis wood became less hygroscopic, more dimensionally stable (tangential and volumetric swelling) and less dense, even at the lowest temperature tested (140 °C), except for radial swelling, which did not differ from untreated wood.
Highlights
Thermal modification significantly affects the properties of wood
equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of thermally modified wood was significantly lower than untreated wood by 14%, 35% and 41%, respectively, for treatments at 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C, so the highest reduction happened between 140 °C and 160 °C (21 percentage points)
Modified Eucalyptus grandis juvenile wood became less hygroscopic, more dimensionally stable and less dense, even at the lowest temperature tested (140 °C), except for radial swelling at 140 °C which did not differ from control
Summary
Thermal modification significantly affects the properties of wood. Considering just physical properties, thermally modified wood is less hygroscopic and more dimensionally stable. Thermal modification processes must be developed and assessed to achieve a balance between the pros and cons imparted to wood properties, considering the end use. In Brazil, Eucalyptus grandis is the most studied species regarding thermal modification because of its large planted area, meaning plentiful availability to supply the wood industry. For this species, some physical properties, such as density, hygroscopicity and dimensional stability are the most studied
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