Effect of heat treatment using rapeseed oil on dimensional stability of Populus deltoides wood

The main purpose of this study was to determine rapeseed oil heat treatment effects on Populus deltoides wood dimensional stability. For this purpose, free defect specimens with the dimensions of 2×2×2 cm were cut from poplar sapwood. The heat treatments were carried out at the temperatures of 180, 200 and 220 ^oC for 2 and 4 h. Changes in weight and volume of the treated samples were measured. All samples were soaked in water for 5 days. Then, the water absorption and dimensional changes were determined. By the heat treatment with rapeseed oil, the specimen weight increased and volume of the specimens decreased. Linear relationship was obtained between sample volume reduction due to heating treatment, and time and temperature. The heat treatment improved the dimensional stability of poplar wood. With increasing temperature and time of treatment, the anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) was increased. At the temperature of 220 °C and 4 h treatment, ASE was 69%. In addition, water absorption of the treated samples was reduced. For instance at condition of 220 °C and 4 h the ASE was 135.7% less than that for the control sample.