Collapsibility and Wettability of Hydrothermally Treated Wood

Study on collapsibility of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) and paulownia (Paulownia fortune) woods due to their hydrothermal modification as well as the wettability and the water absorption were the main concerns of this research work. Out of these species، blocks of sizes 50×6×6cm were prepared and treated at temperatures of 130 and 150°C with a holding time of 30min in a stainless steel reactor containing the water. Oven dried weights and dimensions of the blocks were measured before and after the hydrothermal treatment to determine the density، collapsibility and mass loss due to applied treatment. Furthermore، small blocks of the treated wood were prepared and soaked in water for 1000-hr to determine their water absorption. The wettability of the woods were also measured to determine the water repellency. Results revealed that any raise of treatment temperature up to 150°C increases the density and the collapsibility. Treated wood collapsed in all directions; however، tangential collapse was much worse than the other directions. The contact angle was increased by rise of the treatment temperature. Hydrothermal treatment has reduced water absorption and increased the hydrophobicity of the woods.