The effect of preheating in nitrogen medium on acoustic properties of walnut and white mulberry

In this research, the effect of preheating in nitrogen medium on acoustic properties of walnut and white mulberry’s boards was studied. Sapwood boards of 300×20×20 mm with the green moisture content were prepared. Heat treatments were applied at 140 and 160 oC under pressure of 2 pascal for 30 and 60 minutes. Following the heat treatment, the samples were dried in a convectional laboratory kiln of 8% at 50 oC, relative humidity of 50%, and air velocity of 1 m/s to the average final moisture content of 8%. Using the free vibration method on free- free bar, the dynamic modulus of elasticity and damping factor were evaluated. Results revealed that the heat-treatment at 140 oC for 30 minutes did not have a significant effect on vibration properties of the wood samples. On the other hand, the heat-treatment at 160 oC caused a significant increase in dynamic modulus of elasticity and also a reduction in the damping factor of walnut and white mulberry samples. The FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray studies showed that the degradation of cell-wall polymers and increase in the crystallinity of the walnut wood specimens occurred due to heat treatment at 160 0C.