The Effect of Oleothermal Treatment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Beech Wood

Influence of the oleothermal treatment as one of the thermal wood modification techniques on physical and mechanical properties of beech wood was studied in the current research work. For this purpose, beech wood samples were cut with sizes of 20×20×20 mm (r×t×l) to determine the physical properties and samples with sizes of 20×20×140 mm (r×t×l) to determine the mechanical properties. The samples were treated in sunflower oil at temperatures of 200, 230 and 260 °C for 30 minutes. The wood samples were soaked in water to determine the water absorption as well as the swelling properties. Bending strength as well as the impact load resistance was determined in the treated and untreated samples. Results revealed that the Oleothermal treatment of the wood reduced the water absorption as well as the swelling in beech wood, significantly. Treatment of the beech wood in sunflower oil enhanced the water repellence effect (WRE) and the anti-swelling effects (ASE). It was also revealed that mechanical properties (bending strength as well as the impact load resistance) were reduced by increase of the treatment temperature.