Changes in specific gravity and equilibrium moisture content in heat-treated fir (abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana mattf.) wood

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the changes in specific gravity and equilibrium moisture content of fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmu¨ lleriana Mattf.) wood after heat treatment at different temperatures and durations. In this study, the effects of three different temperatures and three different durations were investigated. The temperatures were 170, 190, and 210 C, and the durations were 4, 8, and 12 h. The equilibrium moisture contents of the heat-treated specimens were determined at 20 C at relative humidities of 35, 50, 65, 80, and 90%, and the results were compared with control specimens. The results indicated that increasing temperatures increased the weight loss of the specimens. With respect to dimensional stabilization, the heat-treated specimens had lower equilibrium moisture contents than did the control specimens.