Some Physical Properties of Heat-Treated Paulownia (Paulownia elongata) Wood

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in physical properties of Paulownia (Paulownia elongata) wood, a fast-growing species, during heat treatment at three different temperatures (160, 180, and 200C) and durations (3, 5, and 7h). After heat treatment, changes in swelling, density, color, and equilibrium moisture content at 35, 65, and 85% RH were investigated. The results indicated that the minimum and maximum decrease swelling ratios were 6-46% for tangential, 4-32% for radial, and 12-64% for longitudinal. The equilibrium moisture contents were 1-26% for 35% RH, 1-33% for 65% RH, and 1-38% for 85 RH, respectively; the density of air-dried and oven-dried samples decreased by 1-16% and 1.5-15%, respectively, and color changes values (L*) were 10-40%.