A Technique for Simulating Lumber Drying Using Small Clear Specimens

Researchers studying the effects of chemical treatments or environmental influences on wood often prefer to use small clear specimens rather than full-size ones. This substitution does not work well when kiln-drying is involved in the experiments. Simulating in small clears these drying effects which would be found in full-size lumber is a problem because time, temperature, and moisture gradients all interact with size. This paper presents a method for simulating the effects of kiln drying nominal 2-inch lumber using l- by l- by 18-inch specimens. This technique exposes small specimens to kiln temperatures for the same time required to dry full-sized lumber. Moisture loss in the small specimens is delayed by placing them in heat-resistant polyethylene bags. The technique should be applicable to drying simulations in the 110? to 250?F range.

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