Surface changes in wood submitted to thermomechanical densification

Abstract

Ideal thermomechanical treatment conditions that reduce roughness and increase hydrophobicity of the wood surface require further investigation. In this study, a thermo-mechanical densification process was applied to Gmelina arborea (gamhar) wood. Three temperatures were used (140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C) and two compaction rates (20 % and 40 %), applied for 30 minutes in a hot hydraulic press with final pressure of 2,5 MPa. Chemical changes, wettability and surface roughness of control and densified samples were investigated, as well as morphological changes. Densification partially degraded the hemicelluloses. Consequently, the wettability of the tangential surface of the densified wood decreased, with a more hydrophobic surface. Similarly, densification reduced surface roughness, especially when filtering was used for natural wood structures, with morphological changes on the surface of the densified samples. Densification with the highest temperature (180 °C) and 20 % compaction created the most hydrophobic surface (>90 °). In contrast, densification with the lowest temperature (140 °C) and compaction of 40 % provided the best results of the roughness parameters, with significant reductions, making it an applicable technique to minimize the roughness of wood in general and improve surface quality.