Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood

Halil İbrahim Şahin

doi:10.29130/dubited.1935560

TR EN

Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood

Abstract

Wood, a natural material with versatile industrial applications, faces limitations such as low dimensional stability and decay resistance. Significant progress has been made in wood modification research to minimize these problems. Among wood modification methods, thermal treatment has emerged as an effective method for the environmentally friendly wood industry. Research has shown that heat-treated wood has superior properties compared to natural wood (dimensional stability, wettability, and biological resistance). Heat-treated lumber is a good choice for various applications, especially those exposed to air and moisture changes on the ground. However, heat treatment applied at high temperatures in an air environment causes degradation in the cell wall and middle lamella of the wood. Thus, the wood material becomes more brittle (fragile) than untreated wood. Thermally treated lumber with low strength properties is not suitable for use in load-bearing sections of wooden structures. Additionally, the color of the wood darkens as the temperature and duration of the thermal treatment increase. This study examines the changes in physical, chemical, and mechanical properties caused by heat treatment applied to wood at high temperatures and its effect on biological resistance against biotic factors.

Keywords

Wood material, Wood modification, Heat treatment, Dimensional stability, Hemicellulose

Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood

Abstract

Wood, a natural material with versatile industrial applications, faces limitations such as low dimensional stability and decay resistance. Significant progress has been made in wood modification research to minimize these problems. Among wood modification methods, thermal treatment has emerged as an effective method for the environmentally friendly wood industry. Research has shown that heat-treated wood has superior properties compared to natural wood (dimensional stability, wettability, and biological resistance). Heat-treated lumber is a good choice for various applications, especially those exposed to air and moisture changes on the ground. However, heat treatment performed under atmospheric conditions (without the use of an inert gas) causes degradation in the wood’s cell walls and middle lamella. Thus, the wood material becomes more brittle (fragile) than untreated wood. Thermally treated lumber with low strength properties is not suitable for use in load-bearing sections of wooden structures. Additionally, the color of the wood darkens as the temperature and duration of the thermal treatment increase. The suitability of these applications for various uses was discussed by evaluating both the advantages provided by heat treatment processes and the potential losses in mechanical properties. In this review study, scientific studies published primarily between 2000 and 2025 were evaluated to comparatively examine the effects of thermal treatment applied to wood on its physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties; common findings and differences reported in various studies were synthesized to provide a general assessment for specific application areas.

Keywords

Wood material, Wood modification, Heat treatment, Dimensional stability, Hemicellulose

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human or animal participants. All procedures followed scientific and ethical principles, and all referenced studies are appropriately cited.

Thanks

The author do not wish to acknowledge any individual or institution.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Agricultural Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Halil İbrahim Şahin ^*
0000-0003-2247-9895
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 24, 2026

Submission Date

April 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1935560

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45AN98PB

APA

Şahin, H. İ. (2026). Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, 14(3), 897-907. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1935560

AMA

1.Şahin Hİ. Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood. DUBİTED. 2026;14(3):897-907. doi:10.29130/dubited.1935560

Chicago

Şahin, Halil İbrahim. 2026. “Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 (3): 897-907. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1935560.

EndNote

Şahin Hİ (July 1, 2026) Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 3 897–907.

IEEE

[1]H. İ. Şahin, “Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood”, DUBİTED, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 897–907, July 2026, doi: 10.29130/dubited.1935560.

ISNAD

Şahin, Halil İbrahim. “Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14/3 (July 1, 2026): 897-907. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1935560.

JAMA

1.Şahin Hİ. Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood. DUBİTED. 2026;14:897–907.

MLA

Şahin, Halil İbrahim. “Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 897-0, doi:10.29130/dubited.1935560.

Vancouver

1.Halil İbrahim Şahin. Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood. DUBİTED. 2026 Jul. 1;14(3):897-90. doi:10.29130/dubited.1935560

Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood

Abstract

Keywords

Effects of Heat Treatment Applications on Some Fundamental Properties of Wood

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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