Thermal conductivity temperature dependence of heat-treated wood at different moisture content levels

Abstract

Effects of temperature dependence and relative humidity were studied relative to the thermal conductivity of heat-treated pine and heat-treated beech, which are frequently used for building construction. Pine and beech wood were exposed to heat treatment at 180, 200, and 220 °C in nitrogen gas for 2 h. As a result, the thermal conductivity values of the heat-treated wood decreased as the temperature of the heat treatment process increased and relative humidity increased. However, thermal conductivity of wood became more stable after heat treatment under relative humidity changes. The thermal conductivity values increased with rising mean plate temperatures, while the temperature dependence of the heat-treated wood was not affected by the relative humidity changes. Consequently, heat-treated wood, with variable humidity without excessive heat changes, can be preferred for the construction of buildings.