Effects of high temperature kiln drying on the practical performances of Japanese cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) I: changes in hygroscopicity due to heating

The effect of heating on the hygroscopicity of Japanese cedar wood was investigated as a simple evaluation of thermal degradation in large-dimension timber being kiln-dried at high temperatures (> 100 degrees C). Small wood pieces were heated at 120 degrees C in the absence of moisture (dry heating) and steamed at 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees C with saturated water vapor over 2 weeks, and their equilibrium moisture contents (M) at 20 degrees C and 60% relative humidity (RH) were compared with those of unheated samples. No significant change was induced by steaming at 60 degrees C, while heating above 90 degrees C caused loss in weight (WL) and reduction in M of wood. The effects of steaming were greater than those of dry heating at the same heating temperature. After extraction in water, the steamed wood showed additional WL and slight increase in M because of the loss of water-soluble decomposition residue. The M of heated wood decreased with increasing WL, and such a correlation became clearer after the extraction in water. On the basis of experimental correlation, the WL of local parts in large-dimension kiln-dried timber was evaluated from their M values. The results indicated that the thermal degradation of inner parts was greater than that of outer parts.