Effect of Surface Densification on Treatability of Scots pine Wood and Micro-Distribution of Impregnating Liquid

In the present research, the effect of surface densification on the treatability of Scots pine wood and micro-distribution of a saturation solution in the wood was studied. Densification was carried out at two compression ratios of 10 and 20% along the radial and tangential directions of wood with 12% EMC (equilibrium moisture content) at a pressure of 20 kg cm-2 and the temperature of 160 °C for 3 min. In order to determine the treatability, the wood specimens were impregnated with 0.5% Rhodamine B dye using alternating pressure method (APM) with an initial vacuum. Then, the treatability parameters were determined using ImageJ software and light microscopic studies. Results showed that the effect of densification on the treatability varies depending on the compression ratio and direction. The treatability of ray parenchyma cells increased by densification, whereas ray tracheids were not impregnated. The treatability of latewood was better compared with the earlywood, and the resin canals were also well treated.