Skip to main content
Log in

Heat-treated wood and its development in Europe

  • Published:
Journal of Forestry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Efficient use of timber is a vital concern problem, especially in these regions where the forestry coverage ratio is decreasing. Studies on physical modification of wood have been taken more attention due to the increasing attentions on environmental protection. Thermal modification is emphasized and developed quickly in developing countries, especially in European countries. A large number of researches have been conducted and some industrial production plants have been built. This paper reviewed the history of heat treatment, exemplifies the industrial developments in several European countries, summarized the basic principle of heat treatment and describes the environmental characteristics. The properties of heat-treated wood and its usage are also summed up.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andreas O. Rapp, Michael Sailer. 2000. Heat treatment of wood in Germany-state of the art [C]. In: Seminar for Production and development of Heat treated wood in Europe, Finland.

  • Boonstra, M.J., Tjeerdsma, B.F., Groeneveld, H.A.C. 1998. Thermal modification of non-durable wood species. 1. The PLATO technology: thermal modification of wood [R]. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. IRG/WP 98-40123.

  • Bourgois, J. and Guyonnel, R. 1988. Characterization and analysis of torrified wood [J]. Wood Sci. Technol.,22: 143–155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bumester, V.A. 1972. Effect of heat-pressure-treatments of semi-dry wood on its dimensional stability [J]. Holz Roh-Werkst,31: 237–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byeon HeeSeop, Shimada -M, Fushitani -M., 1996. The bending and compresionn strength properties in Rhus verniciflua(1) [J]. Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology,24(1): 95–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao Jinzhen, Zhao Guangjie, Lu Zhenyou. 1997. Thermodynamic characteristics of water absorption of heat-treated wood [J]. Journal of Beijing Forestry University,19(4): 26–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirol, D., Guyonnet, R. 1993. The improvement of wood durability by retification process [R]. IRG/WP 93-40015.

  • D-yakonov-KF, Kur-yanova-TK, Shchekin-VA. 1990. The hygroscopicity of heat-treated wood [J]. Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Lesnoi Zhurnal,3: 63–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giebeler, E. 1983. Dimensional stabilization of wood by moisture-heat-pressure treatment [J]. Holz Roh-Werkst,41: 87–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillis, W.E. 1984. High temperature and chemical effects on wood stability [J]. Wood Sci. Tech.,18(3): 281–293.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holger Miliz, Boke Tjeerdsma. 2000. Heat treatment of wood by the “Plato-process” [C]. In: Seminar for production and development of heat treated wood in Europe. Finland.

  • Kamdem, D.P., Pizzi, A., Guyonnet, R., Jemannaud, A. 1999. Durability of Heat-Treated Wood[R]. IRG/WP 99-40145

  • Kamdem, D.P., Pizzi, A., Triboulot. 2000. Heat-treated timber: potentially toxic byproducts presence and extent of wood cell wall degradation [J]. Holz als Roh-und Werkstoff,58(4): 0253–0257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kubojima, Y., Okano, T., Ohta, M. 2000. Bending strength and toughness of heat-treated wood [J]. Journal of Wood Science,46 (1): 8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Risto, A. Kotilainen, Timo-Jaakko Toivanen, Raimo J. Alén. 2000. FTIR monitoring of chemical changes in softwood during heating [J]. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology,20(3): 307–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seborg, R.M., Tarkow, H., Stamm, A.J. 1953. Effect of heat upon dimensional stability of wood [J]. Forest Prod.Res. Soc.,3: 59–67.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stamm, A.J., Burr, H.K., Kline, A.A. 1946. Staybwood-A heat stabilized wood [J]. Ind. Eng. Chem.,38(6): 630–634.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stamm, A.J., Hanson, L.A. 1937. Minimizing wood shrinkage and swelling. Effect of heating in various gases [J]. Ind. Eng. Chem.,29(7): 831–833.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjeerdsma, B.F, Boonstra, M., Pizzi, A., Tekely, P., Militz, H. 1998. Characterisation of thermally modified wood: molecular reasons for wood performance improvement [J]. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff,56: 149–153.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjeerdsma, B.F., Boonstra, M., Militz, H. 1998. Thermal modification of non-durable wood species: Improved wood properties of thermally treated wood [R]. The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Document no. WP 98-40124.

  • Troya, M.T., De Navarrete, A.M. 1994. Study of the degradation of retified wood through ultrasonic and gravimetric techniques [R]. IRG/WP 94-40060.

  • Tuula Syrjänen, Kestopuu Oy. 2000. Heat treatment of wood in Finland-state of the art [C]. In: Seminar for production and development of heat treated wood in Europe. Finland.

  • Viitanen, H.A., Jämsä, S., Paajanen, L.M.,et al. 1994. The effect of heat treatment on the properties of spruce [R]. IRG/WP 94-40032.

  • Vitaniemi, P. 1997. Themowood-Modified wood for improved performance [R]. Stockholm, Sweden. Document no. 9709084.

  • Viitaniemi, Pertti, Jämsä, Saila, Ek, Pentti and Viitanen Hannu. Method for improving biodegradation resistance and dimensional stability of cellulosic products [P]. Finland. US-5678324, November 24, 1994.

  • Viitaniemi, Pertti, Ranta Maunus, Alpo, Jämsä, Saila and Ek, Pentti. Method for processing of wood at elevated temperatures [P]. Finland. EP-0759137, September 11, 1995.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Biography: XIE Yan-jun (1975), male, doctoral candidate in Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China.

Responsible editor: Zhu Hong

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan-jun, X., Yi-xing, L. & Yao-xing, S. Heat-treated wood and its development in Europe. Journal of Forestry Research 13, 224–230 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02871703

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02871703

Keywords

CLC number

Document code

Navigation