The influence of thermal treatment on color response of wood materials

Abstract

In this study, the influence of thermal treatment on color changes of six different wood materials was investigated. Test specimens were subjected to three different temperatures (160, 180, and 200°C) and durations (3, 5, and 7 h). The data obtained were analyzed using variance analysis, and then the statistical analysis of Tukey's test was conducted. After this treatment, the results showed that the color values of the six wood materials changed significantly. It was determined that L* (lightness) values decreased; the minimum change in L* was ∼4% for Juniper wood, and the maximum change in L* was ∼64% for Beech wood. The values of a* (red coordinate) and b* (yellow coordinate) showed varying levels of increase when the heat treatment conditions were 160°C for 3 to 7 h (not including Cherry wood), but the values began to decrease slowly after treatment at 160°C for 5 h. The ratios of the minimum and maximum color change in a* and b* were determined at 180°C for 3 h in Plane wood, 200°C for 5 h in Hazelnut wood, and 160°C for 3 h and 200°C for 7 h in Beech wood. As temperature and duration were increased, the minimum total color change was ∼3.5% for 160°C at 3 h in Cypress wood, and the maximum total color change was ∼50% for 200°C at 7 h in Cypress wood.