Effect of heat treatment and boric acid impregnation on the properties and fire resistance of poplar and radiata pine wood

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrothermal treatment with boric acid impregnation on some physical and mechanical characteristics and fire resistance of poplar (Populus nigra) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) wood. In this study, two times of 60 and 90 minutes with two temperatures of 150○C and 180○C were used for the hydrothermal treatment, and boric acid with concentrations of 1, 3 and 5% dissolved in water used for the impregnation treatment. The measurement of the characteristics, including bending strength, impact resistance, volumetric swilling and fire resistance (weight loss due to fire) were done by ASTM-D143, ASTM-D256, ASTM 4446-2002 and ISO 11925 standards, respectively. About fire resistance, 5% boric acid treatment showed the least weight loss due to burning in the wood of two species. As a result of the hydrothermal treatment alone, the fire resistance was even lower than the control. In this regard, the combination of hydrothermal treatment with boric acid treatment resulted in results close to those of hydrothermal with boric acid treatment. Positive effect of hydrothermal treatment on the improvement of dimensional stability, is considered as one of the results of the present study. The temperature of 180○C with a time of 90 minutes reduced the swelling of poplar and radiata pine by about 36.8 and 42%, respectively. Regarding impact resistance, the effect of hydrothermal treatment on the wood of both species and the effect of boric acid treatment on radiata pine wood were negative. Hydrothermal treatment at a temperature of 180○C and with a time of 90 minutes decreased the impact resistance by 28.2% in the wood of both species, and 5% boric acid treatment caused a 13.3% decrease in this property in radiata pine wood.