The process of heat treating wood has been utilized to improve its properties, such as moisture resistance, dimensional stability, resistance to fungal decay, and aesthetically appealing color. These properties may be achieved without added chemicals and could therefore be considered more environmentally friendly. They also allow for the potential broader applications of indigenous softwoods, instead of relying on the often slower growing hardwoods. However, the extent of heat treatment and its correlation to these desirable properties is difficult to measure. Others have shown correlations between free radical content and the temperature of heat treatment. Here we present our work measuring the radical content by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We examined samples treated in a pilot-scale kiln (an industrially relevant process), as well as samples treated in a highly controlled and quantifiable manner by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) instrumentation. From these data we have attempted to correlate the effects of moisture content and heat treatment extent with the free radical signal. We aim to provide the thermally treated wood industry with reliable methods for quantifying heat treatment.<br/>

Quantification of wood thermal treatment by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

2019 Fall National Meeting

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