The effect of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) steaming process on the colour change versus depth of tested wood layer

ABSTRACT

The results of experimental research on the colour changes of beech wood at different depths of the tested layer are presented. Beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) dried in a conventional kiln was tested. Half of the wood samples were steamed prior to the drying process. Colour changes were measured at various depths after the face milling process was used to remove the material to expose to the deeper surface. The colour changes were measured based on the three-axis CIELAB system, recommended by CIE (Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage) and according to ISO 11664-2 and ISO 11664-4 standards. As a result of the analysis, four parameters were determined: the colour changes ($\mathrm{\Delta }E$), the colour chroma (C_ab), the hue angle (h) and the colour saturation (S_ab). The performed experimental research revealed that the surface of steamed wood is more susceptible to colour change. A significant colour change in both steamed and dried wood occurs only up to a depth of about 2 mm.

KEYWORDS:

• Beech wood
• steaming process
• colour change
• kiln drying
• depth changes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the company ASPI Sp. z o.o., Sp. k. from Suwałki, Poland, for supplying cutting tools for this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA, Warsaw, Poland) for the financial support within the bilateral project [No. PPN/BIL/2018/1/00162], by the Slovak Research and Development Agency [contract no. SK-PL-18-0052] and this work was funded also by the Slovak Research and Development Agency [contract no. APVV-17-0583].