Determination of density and bending strength of heat-treated wood materials with different methods

In this study, the effect of heat treatments applied in different methods and temperature conditions on the air-dry density and bending strength of wood materials was analyzed. Scotch pine (Pinus Silvestris L.) and beech (Fagus Sylvatica L.) wood samples were heat treated separately at three different temperatures (170 °C, 190 °C and 210 °C) using ThermoWood, oil treatment and hot air methods. Density and bending strength of the test samples were determined in accordance with the principles of TS 2472 and TS 2474, respectively. According to the results of the study, the variation in heat treatment method and processing temperature was found to be significant on the density and bending strength values of the wood samples. In terms of heat treatment method, the highest density and bending strength for both wood species were obtained in oil heat-treated samples. In addition, higher strength values were found in the samples treated with the ThermoWood method compared to the hot air method. For all methods, the density and bending strength values of the wood samples decreased depending on the increase in the heat treatment temperature. Density and strength losses due to temperature increase were determined the lowest in the oil heat treatment method and the highest in the hot air method.