Effect of heat treatment on the dimensional stability of ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) wood

The effect of heat treatment on the dimensional stability of ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) wood Abstract: In this study, effect of heat treatment on dimensional stability of ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) woods that naturally grown in Turkey, was investigated. Heat treatment process was applied to ash wood samples at different temperatures (120, 160, 190 and 210 °C) and times (3, 6 and 9 h) in water vapor atmosphere. Water absorption (WA), water repellent effectiveness (WRE), anti-swell effectiveness (ASE, TS 4084) and ATR-FTIR were performed on the test samples. Generally, while the WA decreased with the raise of treatment temperature and times, mean of the WRE and ASE increased. It was determined that the decreases in the absorbance value of the peak belong to the -OH stretching vibration depending on the heat treatment temperature increases. Especially, ASE increased to over 40% with a rapid increase after the three hours application at 190 °C. The highest dimensional stability (58.4%) of ash wood was detected in the highest heat treatment temperature and times (210 °C and 9 h). As a result, it was showed that value and product quality of solid products produced from ash wood with the heat treatment can be improved without use of toxic chemicals. Received (Geli？): 13.05.2016 - Revised (Düzeltme): 06.06.2016 - Accepted (Kabul): 10.06.201