Abstract

The study presents results of the characterization of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) wood thermally modified by TERMOVUOTO (R) technology at temperatures in the range of 160 to 220 degrees C in vacuum conditions. Sixteen thermo-vacuum treatment tests were carried out using a pilot laboratory unit on 30-mm-thick spruce and fir boards in various combinations of the process parameters, i.e. temperature (T), duration (t), and pressure (p). The treated material was characterized to reveal the changes of the physical-mechanical properties including color and durability. The treated wood showed an improved performance with relation to the dimensional stability and durability. The measured mechanical properties did not show any significant decrease. Analytical models, based on the existing correlations between wood properties and process parameters, were assessed, thus allowing the control of the process.

Keywords

Color modification; Durability; Fir; Mass loss; Physical-mechanical properties; Spruce; Thermally modified wood; Thermo-vacuum method

Published in

Bioresources
2012, Volume: 7, number: 3, pages: 3656-3669
Publisher: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV DEPT WOOD & PAPER SCI

SLU Authors

• Terziev, Nasko

  • Department of Forest Products, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Wood Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42897