Full Length Research Paper

Technological and chemical properties of heat-treated Anatolian black pine wood

M. Hakan Akyildiz¹*, Saim Ates¹ and Hasan Özdemir²

¹Department of Forest Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, 37100, Turkey.

²Department of Forest Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 80895, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: akyildizmh@gmail.com. Tel: +903662150900.

Fax: +903662152316.

Accepted 17 April, 2009

In this study the effect of heat treatment on air-dry density (D_m), oven-dry density (D₀), shrinkage (β), swelling (α), fiber saturation point (FSP), compression strength parallel to grain (σ_c//), bending strength (σ_b), modulus of elasticity (MOE) in bending, Brinell-hardness (H_B), equilibrium moisture content (EMC), chemical content and cellulose crystallinity of Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. nigra var. caramenica (Loudon) Rehder] was evaluated. Specimens were subjected to heat under atmospheric pressure at 3 different temperature (130, 180 and 230°C) and 2 different time levels (2 and 8 h). The value of D_m, D₀, β, α, FSP, EMC, σ_c//, σ_b, MOE, holocellulose, 1% NaOH and alcohol solubility decreased, whereas, lignin content increased depending on the heating temperature and the time. Cellulose crystallinity of the specimens was not changed significantly. 130°C showed minimum effect, on the other hand, 230°C showed maximum effect on all properties of treated wood. Accordingly, for heat treatment process, 130°C for 2 h should be applied in place where mechanical properties are important. However, 230°C for 2 h should be used in place where a physical property is preferred. Consequently, heat treated Anatolian black pine woods could be utilized in applications for several purposes such as kitchen furniture, outdoor furniture and windows frames. 

Key words: Anatolian black pine, heat treatment, physical, mechanical, chemical properties, FT-IR, crystallinity.