Effect of relative humidity on thermal degradation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) wood

The rate of thermal degradation of wood as a function of the extent of heat-bath treatment was investigated. At both 150 degrees C and 170 degrees C, the rate of degradation increased along with increasing relative humidity in the heating atmosphere. However, up to intermediate relative humidity (in the vicinity of 50%), the higher the temperature, the less was the effect of increasing relative humidity on the degradation rate. Furthermore, the greater the relative humidity, the less was the effect of increasing temperature on the degradation rate. On the other hand, between intermediate relative humidity and water-saturated conditions, the effect of increasing relative humidity on the degradation rate was the same regardless of the temperature, and the effect of increasing temperature on the degradation rate was the same regardless of the relative humidity. In moist conditions, significant thermal degradation occurred at temperatures as low as 150 degrees C.