Kinetic analysis of color changes in keyaki (Zelkova serrata) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) wood during heat treatment

The kinetics of color changes in keyaki (Zelkova serrata Makino) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood during heat treatment were examined. The color of wood specimens treated at 90, 120, 150, and 180 A degrees C was measured by an imaging spectrophotometer and expressed using CIELAB color parameters. At any treatment temperature, values for L* and decreased and increased in both wood species, respectively, with increased treatment time. Changes in a* and b* varied depending on wood species and treatment temperature. The color changes were successfully analyzed using the kinetic approach applying time-temperature superposition method. This approach elucidated and accurately predicted color changes during heat treatment.