Effect of heat treatment on physical, mechanical and chemical properties of angelim wood

This study had the objective to heat treated angelim vermelho (red) wood and then to analyze its effects on the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the wood. The wood was treated at 180 ºC and 215 °C for 20 min and 40 min in a muffle furnace. The basic density, shrinkage, anisotropy, the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity, as well as the holocellulose, lignin, extractives and ash content values were obtained for the treated and untreated (control) wood. The results indicated that the basic density was not changed and there was a decrease in volumetric shrinkage in the most severe treatment. The modulus of rupture did not change and the chemical analysis indicated a decrease in the holocellulose and extractives content resulting in lignin content percentage increase, mainly in the most severe test.