Study on the effect of thermal treatment on the properties of kelat (syzgium spp) wood

Thermal treatment of wood has grown greatly in recent years and is still evolving as an industrial procedure to improve a variety of wood qualities. Wood extracted from forest plantations generally has inferior properties and thus has limitations in its uses. Therefore, an additional process is necessary to improve the properties of the wood. This study is proposed to improve the properties of the wood by using thermal modification technology. As a result, Kelat wood was selected to be examined under the heading of thermal modification. Wood was processed into 300×200×50 mm dimensions and exposed to three distinct temperature of 150, 180, and 210°C for 30, 60, and 120 minutes by using an oven. The properties of the modified wood, including density, weight loss, colour changes, water absorption, thickness swelling, and bending strength were then investigated. The findings of this study are as follows the effect of temperature and duration on density, water absorption, impact bending and thickness swelling were less significant. While the effect of heat treatment is very significant for weight loss, bending properties and colour changes. Thus, Kelat wood could be used for wider end-use product such as pole wood, furniture, parquet flooring, and for construction purposes.