The effect of heat treatment on the characteristics of the short rotation teak

ABSTRACT An innovative eco-friendly technology, applied to improve the quality of the short rotation teak, was wood modification by heat treatment. The study was to investigate the effects of heat treatment at 180°C, 200°C, and 220°C on the characteristics of the short rotation teak. The results show that the short rotation teak degraded hemicellulose and increased α-cellulose and lignin after the heat treatment. Anti-swelling efficiency value after heat treatment was improved ranging between 12.9% and 46.7%, indicating an improvement in dimensional stability. The MOE and MOR values decreased after heat treatment. The heat treated sample at 180°C after graveyard test was the lowest in weight loss, which presented good durability against termite (rating 9) and decay (rating 10). The surface roughness and SFE values decreased as the heating temperature increased. The heat treated at 220°C provided the lowest K-values (0.04 for acrylic and 5.04 for alkyd paint) which indicate the poorest wettability.