The Role of Tannin Content in the Ammonia Reaction Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Physical, Mechanical, and Surface Properties of Beech and Chestnut Wood
Abstract
The use of wood and wood-based materials has increased continuously from past to present due to their renewable nature, aesthetic appearance, and favorable physical and mechanical properties. Advances in technology, population growth, and the resulting increase in material demand have encouraged researchers to investigate the less explored characteristics of wood and to develop alternative modification methods. Ammonia treatment is one of these modification techniques and is known to cause color changes in wood by reacting with tannins and other extractive compounds present in the wood structure. The resulting color modifications, particularly in tannin-rich wood species, may provide alternative applications in decorative and restoration purposes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ammonia treatment on the mechanical, physical, and surface properties of wood materials. For this purpose, beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), representing a low-tannin wood species, and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), representing a tannin-rich wood species, were selected as test materials. Experimental specimens were exposed to ammonia vapor for 2 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 1 week. Following treatment, bending strength, compression strength parallel to the grain, dynamic bending strength (impact resistance), modulus of elasticity in bending, color parameters, and gloss values were determined. The results revealed that ammonia treatment caused significant reductions in the mechanical strength properties of both wood species when compared with the control groups. The reductions were particularly pronounced in bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact resistance values. In contrast, substantial changes in color and gloss characteristics were observed following ammonia exposure. The color modifications were more pronounced in chestnut wood than in beech wood, indicating the important role of tannin content in the ammonia reaction process. The findings suggest that ammonia treatment can be considered an effective surface modification technique for obtaining natural darkened and aged wood appearances, particularly in tannin-rich wood species, although its adverse effects on mechanical performance should be taken into consideration.
Keywords
References
- Bayani, S., Taghiyari, H. R., and Papadopoulos, A. N. (2019). Physical and mechanical properties of thermally-modified beech wood impregnated with silver nano-suspension and their relationship with the crystallinity of cellulose. Polymers, 11(9), 1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11091538
- Budakçı, M. (2006). Pnömatik adezyon deney cihazı tasarımı ve üretimi. Politeknik Dergisi, 9(1), 53–58.
- Erdin, N. (2003). Ağaç malzeme kullanımı ve çevreye etkisi. Türkiye Mühendislik Haberleri, 427, 96–101.
- Gunduz, G., Aydemir, D., Onat, S. M., and Akgun, K. (2011). The effects of tannin and thermal treatment on physical and mechanical properties of laminated chestnut wood composites. BioResources, 6(2), 1543–1555.
- Hu, W., Wan, H., and Guan, H. (2019). Size effect on the elastic mechanical properties of beech and its application in finite element analysis of wood structures. Forests, 10(9), 783. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10090783
- Huş, S. (1954). Bitkisel tanenli maddeler ve bunların ormancılıktaki önemi. İstanbul Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(2), 61–80.
- International Organization for Standardization. (1984). Paints and varnishes—Colorimetry—Part 2: Colour measurement (ISO Standard No. 7724-2:1984). International Organization for Standardization.
- Jones, D., Kržišnik, D., Hočevar, M., Zagar, A., Humar, M., Popescu, C. M., Popescu, M. C., Brischke, C., Nunes, L., Curling, S. F., Ormondroyd, G., and Sandberg, D. (2022). Evaluation of the effect of a combined chemical and thermal modification of wood through the use of bicine and tricine. Forests, 13(6), 834. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13060834
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Wood Physics and Mechanics
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Recep Aykan
*
0000-0002-6193-9236
Türkiye
Publication Date
July 1, 2026
Submission Date
June 23, 2026
Acceptance Date
June 29, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 1