OPEN ACCESS
This work deals with the elaboration and the physical characterization of thermally modified wood with boiling palm oil. The heat treatment consists of dipping successively the wood into two baths of oil, the first one at a temperature about 200°C for 30 minutes and the second at ambient temperature of 23°C. This resulted in important color changes of treated specimens. The wood species used for the study are Sapelli and Ayous, two Cameroonian hardwoods. A compared study of the physical properties of treated and untreated wood was made. Hygroscopicity of heat‐treated wood has been tested. Samples were dipped in water and then kept in a room with a relative humidity of 65% and a temperature of 23 °C. The samples were periodically weighed over a period of 8 days. The conclusion was that during a short period the water permeability of heat‐treated Sapelli was 70 per cent lower than that of normal dried Sapelli. The same result was found for Ayous. Heat treatment significantly reduces the tangential and radial swelling. The Specific gravity of heat treated wood was almost constant, but higher than that untreated wood. After an adequate treatment, the moisture content of these woods after dipping in water for a long time was less than 7%. It is therefore possible for these treated woods to be used outside without biological attack due to moisture. In addition, the dimensions of treated wood were almost constant.
thermal modification of wood, hygroscopicity, swelling, water absorption, specific gravity, color.
[1] Seborg, R. M., H. Tarkow, A. J. Stamm. 1953. Effect of heat upon the dimensional stabilization of wood. J. Forest Prod. Res. Soc. 3(3) : 59-67.
[2] Rafidah, S., W. Razak, and S. Zaidon, 2008. Effect of Oil thermally modified on Chemical Constituents of Semantan Bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii Gamble). Journal of Sustainable Development 1(2): 91-98. Canadian Center of Science and Education.
[3] Raazak, W., K. Izyan, Roziela, H. Hanim, S. Othman, M. Aminuddin, and H. Affendy, 2011. Effects of hot oil treatment on colour and chemical changes in year-old cultivated Acacia hybrid. Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS) 23(1): 42-50.
[4] Yildiz, S., E.D., Gezer, U.C. Yildiz, 2006. “Mechanical and chemical behavior of spruce wood modified by heat”. Build. Environ 41, pp. 1762–1766.
[5] Feist, W.C. and J., Sell, 1987. “Weathering behaviour of dimensionally stabilized wood treated by heating under pressure of nitrogen gas”. Wood Fiber Sci 19, pp.183–195.
[6] Burmester, A. 1973. “Effect of heat–pressure treatments of semi-dry wood on its dimensional stability”. Holz Roh- Werkst 31, pp. 237–243.
[7] Gunduz, G., D., Aydemir, and G., Karakas, 2009. “The effects of thermal treatment on the mechanical properties of wild Pear (Pyrus elaeagnifolia Pall.) wood and changes in physical properties”. Materials and Design 30, pp. 4391–4395.