Effects of Thermal Treatment on Physical Properties of Teak Veneer (Tectona grandis)

Thermo treatment on veneer has been recognized as environmentally friendly and can modify wood properties. The objectives of this study were to investigate mass loss of thermo-teak veneer, to assess the density changes, and to examine shrinkage based on different levels of temperature at different time lengths. The temperatures were 180, 200, 220, and 240 degrees C applied at three different lengths of time, i.e., 4, 8, and 12 min on teak veneer sheets. The results showed that the mass loss at the temperature of 180, 200, 220, and 240 degrees C were not significantly different. Density changes were significant depending on the level of temperatures. Percentage of density decrease changed from 3.85% to 15.69% at temperatures ranging from 180 to 240 degrees C but the length of time (4, 8, and 12 min of thermal treatment) did not have a significant effect. The mass loss ranged from 5.90% to 17.66%.

Automated summary

Thermo treatment can modify the quality and density of teak veneer, and the degree of change depends on the temperature and time duration.