Properties of Thermally Treated Yellow Poplar, Southern Pine, and Eastern Redcedar

Abstract

Properties were evaluated for heat-treated yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), and southern pine (Pinus echinata) samples. Differences in discoloration, surface roughness, and hardness of the samples as a function of heat exposure were tested at temperature levels of 130 degrees C, 160 degrees C, and 190 degrees C. The experiments were carried out on defect-free eastern redcedar, yellow poplar, and southern pine samples with dimensions of 50 cm by 4 cm by 2 cm (longitudinal, radial, tangential) supplied by a local sawmill. A total of 80 samples, 20 for each temperature level, were used for the tests. Based on the findings, it appears that eastern redcedar specimens had the least discoloration values as compared to those of two other types of wood. In all cases, hardness values of the samples showed adverse influence of heat exposure. It seems that as temperature level increased, the surface quality of the samples from all three species was enhanced. All types of samples had significant discoloration as a result of heat treatment, and such findings were more prominent in the case of both pine and yellow poplar specimens. Overall hardness characteristics of the samples were adversely influenced due to heat exposure.