Continuous Surface Densification of Wood: A New Concept for Large-scale Industrial Processing

Fast growing and low-density species can be modified by various thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) treatments. Wood densification is one of the promising techniques for broadening the application of these species. This study focuses on the use of a high-capacity continuous pressing technique that considerably increases the density in the region beneath the surface of poplar wood. Prior to densification at 185 °C, a softening stage was implemented, with water spraying followed by heating at a temperature of 205 °C to 235 °C. The density profile, set-recovery, and morphology of the densified surface were investigated. Densitometry revealed that an M-shaped density profile was created through the thickness, with a peak density of approximately 700 kg/m3 close to the surfaces. The set-recovery after three wetting-drying cycles was 44%, which revealed that partial stress relaxation occurred during the densification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that both sides of the wood were successfully densified and that after the wetting-drying cycles, the deformed cells did not completely recover.