Effects of aluminum sulfate soaking pretreatment on dimensional stability and thermostability of heat-treated wood

Abstract

Acidic aluminum sulfate hydrolysis solutions can be used to catalyze the thermal degradation of wood in a mild temperature environment, and thus reduce the temperature required for heat treatment process. To improve the dimensional and thermal stability of Chinese fir during heat treatment at 120 °C, 140 °C and 160 °C, this study investigated the effects of soaking pretreatment with 5%, 10% and 15% aluminum sulfate on the chemical and structural changes of the heat-treated Chinese fir. The results indicated that the samples treated at 15% aluminum sulfate concentration and 160 °C heat treatment achieved the best dimensional and thermal stability. Chemical analyses by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the catalysis of aluminum sulfate resulted in degradation of hemicelluloses during the heat treatment, and an increase in the soaking concentration and heat treatment temperature also affected the thermal degradation of celluloses. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mass changes test results proved that the hydrolyzed aluminum flocs mainly adhered to the inner wall of the wood tracheid as spherical precipitates, and when the soaking concentration reached 10% and 15%, a uniform soaking effect could be achieved. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed the soaking pretreatment effectively improved the thermal stability of the heat-treated wood by physically wrapping and promoting the formation of a carbon layer on the wood surface during heat treatment. Thus, aluminum sulfate soaking pretreatment exerted a great effect on the dimensional and thermal stability of wood, allowing heat treatment to be performed at a lower temperature.