Transverse Compression Treatment of Wood to Improve Its Drying Behavior

Recent preliminary studies indicate that improved drying behavior of green, yellow birch lumber can be obtained by transverse compression treatment prior to kiln-drying. The lumber is passed through a pair of rolls that exert enough force to reduce the thickness of an 8-inch-wide board 12.5 percent. Feed rates of 10-50 feet per minute are stated. Prior to kiln-drying, a transverse pressure producing a strain of 7.5 percent and 5.0 percent was applied to 1-inch and 2-inch material, respectively. Most of the deformation (about 90 percent) recovered immediately following release of the material from the rollers. Shrinkage in drying from the green condition to 8 percent moisture content was less in thickness and width than that of the controls (no treatment). The stressed material was free of collapse whereas the controls were badly degraded and useless. Compressions up to 10 percent produced no major macroscopic or microscopic changes in the wood structure.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member