Abstract
Wood is a versatile material that is used for various purposes due to its good properties, such as its aesthetic properties, acoustic properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties, etc. Its poor dimensional stability and low natural durability are the main obstacles that limit its use in mechanical applications. Therefore, modification is needed to improve these properties. The hydrothermal modification of wood exposes wood samples to elevated temperatures and pressure levels by using steam, water, or a buffer solution as the treating medium, or by using superheated steam. Abundant studies regarding hydrothermally treated wood were carried out, but the negative effect on the wood’s strength is one of the limitations. This is a method that boosts the dimensional stability and improves the decay resistance of wood with minimal decrements of the strength properties. As an ecofriendly and cost-effective method, the hydrothermal modification of wood is also a promising alternative to conventional chemical techniques for treating wood. Researchers are attracted to the hydrothermal modification process because of its unique qualities in treating wood. There are many scientific articles on the hydrothermal modification of wood, and many aspects of hydrothermal modification are summarized in review papers in this field. This paper reviews the hydrothermally modified mechanical properties of wood and their potential applications. Furthermore, this article reviews the effects of hydrothermal modification on the various properties of wood, such as the dimensional stability, chemical properties, and durability against termites and fungi. The merits and demerits of hydrothermal wood modification, the effectiveness of using different media in hydrothermal modification, and its comparison with other treating techniques are discussed.
Highlights
Wood is considered to be an important biomass that is used for multiple purposes due to its high strength value
There is a variety of hydrothermal conditions, this review focuses on the hydrothermal modification of wood in which water and other buffer solutions serve as treating media
This study investigated seven parameters: wood density, equilibrium moisture content (EMC), mass loss (ML), water absorption (WA), volumetric swelling (SV), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and water-repellent efficiency (WRE)
Summary
Wood is considered to be an important biomass that is used for multiple purposes due to its high strength value. FAO reports [1] categorized global forest products into industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels, fiber furnish, paper and paperboard, wood fuel, charcoal, and pellets. Global industrial roundwood removals amounted to about 2028 million m3 in 2018. Wood is porous and hygroscopic in nature, and it contains cell walls. Mold, bacteria, algae, and lichens cause massive alterations to wood. The presence of these types of deteriorating agents in a wooden structure can destroy wood-made products within a short period of time, causing financial losses and negatively impacting the environment [3]. Modification helps to reduce the hygroscopic nature of wood, which is needed for the improvement of its dimensional stabilization and to prevent biological deterioration agents’ attacks on wood
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