Efeito da modificação térmica nas propriedades físicas da madeira de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barrett & Golfari

Pinus wood is widely used in the forestry industry, mainly in the furniture and civil sectors, so it is important to search for techniques that improve and perfect its technological properties. In this sense, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal modification on the physical properties of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis under two different temperatures. Three trees aged 14 years old from the experimental field of the Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, in Vitoria da Conquista, BA, were used, of which they were made in samples with dimensions of 30 x 30 x 50 mm. The thermal modification process was carried out in a laboratory oven at 160oC and 200 ° C of final cycle temperature, which, added to the control, represented three treatments under analysis. The tests of apparent density, humidity, loss of mass, water absorption rate and dimensional stability were performed. It was concluded that the thermal modification altered the physical properties evaluated, making the wood less hygroscopic and with greater dimensional stability, in addition to influencing the color of the wood in relation to its natural appearance.