Influence of densification temperature on some physical and mechanical properties of pterocarya fraxinifolia wood

Abstract

• This study has been conducted to investigate the influence of temperature levels in the densification process by hot-press methods on the physical and mechanical properties of false walnut wood (Pterocarya fraxinifolia). For this purpose, wood specimens from five standing trees were compressed at different densification temperatures (110, 140 and 170 °C). Then, the data of oven dry density, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity in bending and withdrawal strength of nail of compressed wood were analyzed by SPSS software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the densification temperature had significant effects on the physical and mechanical properties. The most suitable temperature level was 140 °C for a higher density, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity in bending, and withdrawal strength of nail in the densification of false walnut wood. Increase of 27 % in the density, 80 % in the modulus of elasticity (MOE), 252 % in the modulus of rupture (MOR) and 215 % in the withdrawal strength of nail were obtained after densification.