Effects of Thermal Modification on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Douglas-Fir Heartwood

The flexural properties, mass losses, and moisture behavior of thermally modified Douglas-fir pretreated with boron or glycerol were examined. Pretreatments were associated with slight, but not significant, reductions in modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of Douglas-fir at different thermal treatment levels. Boron pretreatment had the greatest effect on MOR. MOR of non-pretreated and boron-treated samples increased slightly...