Effect of mechanical restraint on the properties of heat-treated Pinus koraiensis and Paulownia tomentosa woods

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve the properties of Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. & Zucc.) and royal paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) via heat treatment. The woods were treated at 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, and 220 °C for 2 h. The effect of mechanical restraint through clamping during heat treatment on the dimensional stability, physical, and mechanical properties was evaluated. The results showed that increased temperature increased the weight loss and volume shrinkage, while equilibrium moisture content and wettability decreased. Royal paulownia showed higher weight loss, but lower shrinkage and equilibrium moisture content, when compared to Korean white pine. The samples with clamps in both woods had lower weight loss and volume shrinkage after heat treatment. The modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture decreased with increased temperature followed by a noticeable decrease obtained after heat treatment at 200 °C and 220 °C. Clamping minimized strength reduction in both woods. Consequently, it was suggested that mechanical restraint was a useful method to maintain the wood properties during heat treatment.