Physical Properties of Four Thermally Treated Hardwoods

In this study, we aimed to analyze the physical properties of four thermally treated eucalyptuses. To this end, 20 trees (similar to 60 years old) of Eucalyptus botryoides, Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus paniculata, and Eucalyptus tereticornis were randomly selected in the municipality of Charqueadas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. We prepared samples near the pith and bark of trees in order to characterize the selection of juvenile and mature wood, respectively. The samples were kept in a climatic chamber to obtain the equilibrium moisture content (similar to 12%), which was the initial condition for the thermal treatments at 200 degrees C for 1 hour. Changes due to thermal treatment resulted in an increase in the dimensional stability of wood. Among the eucalyptuses, the lowest hygroscopicity was found for the mature wood of Eucalyptus paniculata, while the highest and the lowest increases of dimensional stability were observed for Eucalyptus tereticornis and Corymbia citriodora wood, respectively.