Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Poplar Wood by a Combined-Hydro-Thermo-Mechanical (CHTM) Modification

The current research explains an innovated technique to enhanced mechanice properties of poplar wood by combination of two modification techniques، hydrothermal and mechanical. Blocks of 50×55×500mm3 were cut from poplar wood and treated in a reactor at 120، 150 and 180°C for 30 min. Afterwards، the blocks were pressed at 180°C for 20 min at a pressure of 80 bar to achieve a compression set of 60% in radial direction. Density and bending properties (moduli of elasticity and rupture) as well as impact resistance were determined in the specimens and compared with those of the untreated one. Results revealed that the density، modulus of elasticity and impact load resistance increased as the treatment temperature rose. The highest density، modulus of elasticity and impact resistance were determined in samples treated at 150°C. The modulus of rupture was increased as the temperature was raised up to 120°C and then it was reduced as low as the untreated one at higher temperatures.