Influences of the hydro-thermal treatment on physical properties of beech wood (Fagus orientalis)
IRG/WP 05-40303
B Mohebby, I Sanaei
Influences of the hydro-thermal treatment on physical properties of beech wood were studied. Wood specimens (2×2×2cm) were treated in two steps. At first step, samples were treated at 160,180 & 200ºC for 4, 5 & 6 hours. At second step, treated samples were cured based on their first step treatment temperatures (160,180 & 200ºC) for 16 hours. The treated samples were soaked in water and oven dried for 24 hours. The soaking-drying cycles were repeated for seven times. Oven dried density (initial and final), swelling (initial and final), water absorption (initial and final) and density loss were analyzed. Results revealed that swelling was decreased due to the hydro-thermal treatment; while the water absorption was increased in wood. And oven dried density was slightly lost due to the treatment. The density loss and increase of water absorption are related to initial pyrolysis of wood which consequences with increase of wood porosity due to the treatment.