Mechanical behaviour of Québec wood species heat-treated using ThermoWood process

Finnish wood heat treatment technology, ThermoWood, was recently introduced to Quebec, Canada by Ohlin Thermo Tech. Subsequently, a large number of initial trials were conducted on five commercially important Quebec wood species, spruce (Picea spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), fir (Abies spp.), aspen (Populus spp.), and birch (Betula spp.). These species were thermally-modified in different batches at temperatures of 200 °C or higher. The static bending and hardness of the thermally-modified wood were examined. Decreases of 0% to 49% were observed in modulus of rupture of heat-treated spruce, pine, fir, and aspen depending on species and treatment schedules used; modulus of rupture of birch increased slightly after the heat treatment. The decrease in modulus of elasticity of heat-treated spruce and pine ranged from 4% to 28%; but the modulus of elasticity of heat-treated fir, aspen, and birch increased except one trial for fir. Hardness of the heat-treated wood increased or decreased depending on the species, test directions (radial, tangential, and longitudinal), and treatment schedules.