Casehardening characterization in western hemlock wood

Casehardening (σi) is an internal stress-related phenomenon that develops in kiln-dried wood materials, causing shape distortion. This study focuses on the impact of drying schedule and wood parameters (e.g., density, moisture) on σi. Results indicated that the wood's final moisture content level has the highest impact when it is above 15%. However, the wood moisture gradient is the most influential factor when wood's moisture content is below 15%. Drying schedule aggressiveness and post-drying treatments also affect σi; an aggressive drying schedule followed by conditioning remarkably reduces σi occurrence.