Effect of thermo-vacuum modification on selected chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica L.) wood

• Published in: Wood Material Science and Engineering
• Main Author: Lo Giudice V.L.; Antov P.; Koynov D.; Kristak L.; Lee S.H.; Lubis M.A.R.; Mecca M.; Moretti N.; Tiwari R.; Todaro L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor and Francis Ltd. 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85159350580&doi=10.1080%2f17480272.2023.2212253&partnerID=40&md5=d6c5ade2c63288f5961abdd0d240c8f8

The primary aim of this research was to investigate and evaluate the effects of thermo-vacuum modification through forced convection on selected chemical, physical, and mechanical characteristics of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica L.) wood. Larch wood boards were thermally-modified, using press-vacuum plant technology, for three hours at a temperature of 200 °C and a pressure of 350 mBar. In order to characterise the thermally-modified (TH) and unmodified (CTRL) wood samples, the extractives, lignin and holocellulose content, volumetric swellings, compression strength, and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were determined. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis revealed chemical compound changes as a result of the thermal modification process where some extractives became undetectable after treatment while some new extractives were detected. Thermally-modified larch wood exhibited lower volumetric swelling compared to the untreated samples. Markedly, thermally-modified larch wood had lower tendency to absorb moisture. In addition, thermally-treated wood had slightly higher compression strength parallel to the grain, which was 0.29% higher than that of unmodified samples. Meanwhile, a 7.6% reduction in MOE was recorded in the thermally-treated wood. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.