On the fluid permeability of heat treated paulownia wood

ABSTRACT

Fibre direction cylindrical specimens from the sapwood and heartwood areas of Paulownia wood were heat treated at 180, 190, and 200°C split in eight groups of ten specimens each. Air and water permeability were measured, thereafter. Results demonstrated that heat treatment had a positive effect on air permeability both in sapwood and heartwood specimens. That increase might be attributed to the development of cell wall micro-checks caused by thermal degradation and fracture of the vessel tyloses. Liquid permeability was significantly decreased as a result of heat treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Fluid flow
• heat treatment
• permeability
• tyloses
• wood modification

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Mr Jack Norton (Retired, Horticulture & Forestry Science, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Australia) for his constant scientific support and inspiration, as well as Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.