The Physical Properties of Heat Treated Fir Wood and Outdoor Durability

IRG/WP 14-40677

O E Özkan, H Vurdu, A Temiz, G Köse

Wood might be easily susceptible to degrade by biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, wood should be protected from fungi, insects and other degradation factors by applying treatment methods. Especially, for the wood have used in the external environment. Chemical treatment methods have some disadvantages such as use of toxic chemicals (Arsenic and chromium) and treatability of refractory wood species. For these reasons, heat treatment methods have been used for solving some problem about wood protection industry. Especially to the heat treatment does not pollute the environment and use any chemicals in the heat treatment process. In this study, oil heat treated (OHT) and nitrogen atmosphere (N) heat treated Turkish fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana) wood samples were subjected to dimensional stability and above ground test in Kastamonu, Turkey during 5 month from June to November, 2013. Test results of the heat treated wood samples were shown that water repellent efficiency (WRE), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) and color stability of heat treated wood increased. In addition, surface roughness decreased. Accordingly at the end of the test, oil heat treated wood samples were shown better results than in nitrogen atmosphere heat treated samples. The highest water repellent efficiency results were obtained from OHT at 150 0C 2 h samples. Additionally, ASE of OHT at 150 0C 2, 4 and 6 h samples shown results close to each other but OHT 150 0C 4 h has much higher than other results. Weathering results were illustrated that OHT wood samples have gained color stability and improvement surface roughness properties. The better color stability was obtained from OHT-150 0C- 4 h wood samples. The better surface roughness properties were gained from OHT-150 0C 2 h samples. Finally, OHT has been found to be applicable the Turkish fir wood by the purpose of increased durability and stability.


Keywords: heat treatment, above ground test, water adsorption

Conference: 14-05-11/15 St George, Utah, USA


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