Impact of heat treatment (ThermoWood) onthe macro structure and physical properties of Scots pine sapwood and heartwoodwere studied by visual examinations, using the following relevant standard testmethods: ASTM D2244 and TS 2472, respectively. In the study, twoprocesses-Thermo-S (190 ̊ C) and Thermo-D (212 ̊ C)-were employed for heattreatment. To compare the effect of different types of heat treatment, kilndried wood samples were used for reference. Macroscopic investigation showedthat superficial cracks occurred in all samples, and as the temperatureincreased, the severity and number of cracks increased. In the Thermo-Dprocess, internal cracks and cupping were seen only in heartwood samples.Physical examination showed that as the temperature increased, color of thesamples darkened, the density of the samples decreased, dimensional stabilitywas enhanced. The Anti Swelling-Efficiency (ASE) in the Thermo-S and Thermo-Dprocesses evaluated in sapwood samples was 17.04% and 24.77%, respectively; however,values in the heartwood samples were 11.97% and 30.45%, respectively. Thehighest reduction ratio of air dried density was 14.04% in the Thermo-D processapplied to the heartwood samples. Thus, it can be concluded that this reductiondue to the increased temperature is related to the formation of internalcracks.
Cite this paper as: Tuncer, F.T., Doğu A.D., 2018. Effects of heat treatment on some macroscopic and physical properties of Scots pine sapwood and heartwood. Forestist 68(2): 93-100.