Aim of study: To determine the effect of densification process with heat and steam on hardness, roughness and spring-back in heat-treated and untreated wood to improve the properties of cylindrical wood material
Material and method: Turned black poplar (Populus nigra L.) wood specimens were used in the experiments. The densification process was carried out on an automatic lathe, using a specially designed and produced densification apparatus. During densification, 3 Bar hot steam and 600°C dry air were applied to the material.
Main results: In general, it has been found that the application of steam and heat in the cylindrical densification process of poplar material has the effect of increasing the roughness and springback values and reducing the surface hardness. It was evaluated that the heat treatment had a positive effect on roughness and springback values.
Research highlights: The percentage of spring back and roughness were lower in heat-treated cylindrical black poplar specimens.