2 UTILIZATION OF TEMPERATURE KINETICS AS A METHOD TO

Wood heat treatment is an attractive alternative to improve decay resistance of wood species with 19 low natural durability. However, this improvement of durability is realized at the expense of the 20 mechanical resistance. Decay resistance and mechanical properties are strongly correlated to 21 thermal degradation of wood cells wall components. Mass loss resulting from this degradation is 22 a good indicator of treatment intensity and final treated wood properties. However, the 23 introduction of a fast and accurate system for measuring this mass loss on an industrial scale is 24 very difficult. Nowadays, many studies are conducted on the determination of control parameters 25 which could be correlated with the treatment conditions and final heat treated wood quality such 26 as decay resistance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relations between kinetics of