Experimental Investigations on Swelling Pressure of Natural and Heat-treated Ash Wood

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental research concerning the swelling pressure developed by ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior L.), unmodified, respectively modified by heat-treatment (Thermo wood method), when swelling from the oven-dry state until the fibber saturation point was exceeded and maximum swelling was reached. The results show maximum values of the swelling pressure between 3.39 MPa and 4.18 MPa for unmodified wood respectively between 2.95 MPa and 3.35 MPa for modified wood, as well as clear differences between the values of swelling pressures on radial and tangential direction. The results can be useful for various applications related to wood products, especially for the outdoor furniture and construction fields.