The effect of heat treatment (Thermowood method) on physical properties, decay and weathering resistance of some tree species

Heat treatment of the wood used to improve the dimensional stability of wood is one of the methods of modification. In this study, two areas of use with a domestic (Chestnut and red-bud maple), 2 exotic (Iroko and Sapele) wood was white and brown rot resistance and weather conditions, the color difference and the air-dry density, oven-dry density, expansion, contraction, surface roughness, on the different physical properties such as brightness temperature (190˚C and 212˚C) and times (1 hour and 2 hours) investigated the effect of heat treatment applied. According to the results of physical properties, improvement was observed in dimensional stabilization of chestnut, maple, iroko and sapele through heat treatment. Average surface roughness was lower in both aged and heat-treated samples than control group samples. Keywords: Accelerated Weathering, Decay, Physical properties, ThermoWood.