Some physical and mechanical properties of dried lumber in vacuum with high frequency heating

In conventional drying ovens, the drying of especially thick lumber is not ideal in terms of drying quality and drying time. Therefore, it is important to dry thick and high density lumber by high-frequency heated vacuum drying. This scope of study, drying experiments have been performed by applying high frequency-vacuum (Hf+V) drying method at wavelength of approximately 15 cm at 27.12 MHZ frequency that this method implemented first time in Turkey. In this study, oak (Quercus robur) se-lected from local sources and walnut (Juglans regia) used in rifle stock were used as experimental material. These materials were technologically examined by drying the timber in a short time in a fully automated, high frequency vacuum drying oven. Some physical and mechanical properties of these tree species were compared natural drying and HF+V drying. As a result of the high-frequency-vacuum drying process, it was observed that the physical and mechanical properties; modulus of elasticity of 12% in oak timber samples, 6% in walnut samples; 9% for oak samples, 7% walnut samples, compressive strength; 7%, dynamic bending resistance 20% for oak and 17% walnut specimens; was decreased. According to these results for non-overloaded areas such as rifle stock can be using high frequency vacuum (Hf + V) drying is preferred in the conventional dry drying wood types method.