Mechanical properties changes in oak (Quersus canariensis) and stone pine (Pinus pinea) wood subjected to various convective drying conditions

Abstract

The aim of this article was to determine the effect of convective drying parameters on the mechanical properties of Oak (Quersus canariensis) and stone pine (Pinus pinea) wood boards (dimensions 20 × 50 × 300 mm⁻³). Dried wood samples were subjected to flexural and bending loading tests to determine the mechanical properties. Results indicated that drying time, modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of dried samples decreased with increasing drying temperature. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that only the MOE of oak wood in axial compression test was affected by drying temperature. Means mechanical properties of dried woods boards were compared to those for air-natural drying revealing that convective drying at 55 °C has a lesser impact on mechanical characteristics of end product. Highest MOR and MOE means values in three-point static bending and axial compression tests of two woods were observed at 55 °C while the lowest means values were recorded at 85 °C. Results revealed that air-natural drying has a negative impact on the flexural and axial compression properties of two types of wood.

Keywords:

• Convective drying
• wood
• stone pine
• oak
• mechanical strength
• moisture content
• temperature