Abstract
High-temperature treatment of wood is a useful method for improving certain physical characteristics, ensuring durability without biocides, and improving the performance of wood when exposed to degradation agents. This work aims to determine the effects induced by a heat treatment performed industrially on ayous wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum) from Cameroon, through the study of the main physical and mechanical characteristics. The heat treatment at 215 °C for three hours with a slight initial vacuum determined a reduction of the mechanical characteristics (compression strength 26%, static bending 46%, Brinell hardness 32%) and some physical properties (dry density 11%, basic density 9%), while it improved the behaviour towards variations of environment moisture. The anti-shrinkage efficiency was 58.41 ± 5.86%, confirming the increase of the dimensional stability. The darkening (ΔE 34.76), clearly detectable (L* 39.69 ± 1.13; a* 10.59 ± 081; b* 18.73 ± 1.51), was supported almost equally by both the lightness parameter (L*) and the a* chromatic parameter. The data collected during the laboratory tests were then subjected to statistical analysis to verify correlations between the characteristics examined. Statistical differences were highlighted between each physical and mechanical properties of ayous wood modified or not.
Highlights
The biological origin of woody materials makes them a valuable ally in reducing the environmental impact of human activities
This study aims to present the first set of data discussed at the First International Electronic Conference on Forests—IECF 2020—[14], allowing the evaluation of industrially thermally modified ayous wood
The showedaareduction reductionbetween between and after the thermal modification; the hand, other showed and after the thermal modification; on theon other hand, for physical properties, the most important consequences are related to the alteration for physical properties, the most important consequences are related to the alteration of of the material behaviour with moisture water
Summary
The biological origin of woody materials makes them a valuable ally in reducing the environmental impact of human activities. Some intrinsic properties of wood, such as natural origin, nontoxicity, wide diffusion, and versatility of the material are the basis of the multitude of possible uses. The possibility of recycling primary wood products at the end of their life cycle, for example, to produce particle boards or similar secondary products, and the valorisation of waste to produce energy from renewable sources (cascading), are characteristics that contribute to making wood an important resource against climate change and the rational and optimized exploitation of natural resources [1]. The durability of wood is a characteristic variable among species that expresses the intrinsic ability to resist the action of degradation and decay agents. Often it is necessary to improve the natural durability of wood, when it is used for outdoor purposes
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