Effect of microwave heating on compressive strength of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) parallel to grain

ABSTRACT

This article deals with the changes of strength of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) when compression load is applied parallel to grain and the wood is heated using microwave (MW) energy for a time period determined by two variants of drying. The elasticity modulus and compressive strength parallel to grain were measured using a universal testing machine in accordance with a relevant technical standard. Regression equations describing the dependence of compressive strength on wood density were determined for both variants of heating with a given load. Furthermore, a three-factor analysis of variance was performed to verify the significance of possible factors influencing changes of wood strength and elasticity. Possible hypotheses of changes caused by MW heating and the significance of discovered factors are also discussed. The results showed reduction of average values of wood compressive strength parallel to grain. The values were reduced by 35% in variant 1 and by 41% in variant 2 as opposed to wood to which no MW energy was applied. The difference in strength between the variants was nearly 9%.

KEYWORDS:

• Density
• microwave drying
• microwave heating
• modulus of elasticity
• physical properties
• wood drying
• wood strength