Influence of Densification Temperature on Some Physical and Mechanical Properties of Pterocarya Fraxinifolia Wood

Abstract

This study has been conducted to investigate the infl uence of temperature levels in the densifi cation process by hot-press methods on the physical and mechanical properties of false walnut wood (Pterocarya fraxinifolia). For this purpose, wood specimens from fi ve standing trees were compressed at different densifi cation 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 densifi cation temperature had signifi cant 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 densifi cation 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 densifi cation.

Fabrication of High-Performance Densified Wood via High-Pressure Steam Treatment and Hot-Pressing

“…In some studies around 2000, researchers focused on enhancing the mechanical properties of wood and improving its dimensional stability through thermal and mechanical treatments, and in some studies after 2010, researchers began to focus on further enhancing the mechanical properties of densified wood. These early studies emphasized the influence of external experimental conditions, such as temperature [13][14][15][16], pressure, heat treatment conditions, and vacuum [17], ignoring the influence of the internal microstructure and chemical composition of wood [18][19][20]. Meanwhile, the important role played by lignin in the wood densification process has only gradually been discovered in recent years.…”