Effect of Heat Treatment upon Dimensional Stability and Static Bending Strength of Sessile Oak Wood

The paper presents the results of an experimentalstudy performed with sessile oak wood (Quercuspetrea L.). After drying and conditioning at 12%MC,the test pieces were heat-treated at three differenthigh temperatures (120, 130 and 140°C) for 1h, 2hand 3h. After the treatment and cooling, standardsamples for physical and mechanical tests were cut,in order to determine comparatively the density, thedimensional stability, the static bending strength andMOE of the differently treated samples.Based on the obtained results, the optimumtreatment schedule was established, namely the onewhich enables improved dimensional stability withoutaffecting significantly the wood strength. Theseresults can be applied at the manufacturing of solidwood panels with improved dimensional stabilityusing heat-treated wood lamellas.