A thermal modification technique combining bulk densification and heat treatment for poplar wood with low moisture content

This study aimed to obtain the most suitable process parameters of the bulk densification and heat treatment for the modification of poplar wood with a moisture content of approximately 3-5%. Based on the heat-mass transfer model, the best preheating temperature and time for the bulk densification process were 180 degrees C and 361 s, respectively. The optimal heat treatment temperature and time were 190 celcius and 3 h, respectively. The resultant wood samples exhibited the highest storage modulus and the lowest loss factor, indicating that this kind of wood product has a long service life, suitable for solid wood flooring applications. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the optimal process parameters for bulk densification and heat treatment of poplar wood with a moisture content of approximately 3-5%. The wood samples treated with the determined parameters exhibited high storage modulus and low loss factor, indicating their suitability for solid wood flooring applications.