SOME SURFACE PROPERTIES OF HEAT TREATED AND NATURAL WEATHERED ORIENTAL BEECH

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate some surface characteristics such as color, surface roughness and glossiness of heat treated Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood specimens after natural weathering. Heat treatment of Oriental beech wood was carried out by hot air in an oven for 1, 4, and 8 h at 140, 170, and 200 degrees C. Our results showed that heat treatment caused decrease in surface roughness and glossiness of Oriental beech. The decrease in L* of heat treated wood indicates that the specimens become darker. Heat treatment resulted in better surface roughness and glossiness compared to non-heated Oriental beech after natural weathering. According to our results, while heat treated Oriental beech wood specimens become lighter after natural weathering, non-heated wood become darken after natural weathering. The negative values of Delta a* and Delta b* indicate a tendency of wood surface to become greenish and bluish after natural weathering. Generally, higher temperature and duration of treatment resulted in better surface characteristics of Oriental beech after natural weathering.