Mechanical properties of thermally compressed domestic softwoods

In this study, we investigated mechanical properties of Korean softwoods after applying thermal compression. Density of compressed woods was notably increased with thermal compression. In case of 50% compression set, density of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), Japanese red pine (P. densiflora), and Larch (Larix kaempferi) wood was increased by 71%, 74%, and 76%, respectively, when compared to the control group. The strength of woods was increased and quality of the woods became homogeneous with an increases in the compression set. On the 50% compression set, the compressive strength, bending strength, and hardness of Korean pine wood was increased by 76%, 83%, and 55%, respectively compared to the control group. Longitudinal compressive strengths of Japanese red pine wood increased by 69%, 130%, and 76%, respectively and those of Larch wood increased by 77%, 120%, and 44%, respectively. In thermal compression wood, mechanical properties of Larch wood was the highest, while those of Korean pine wood were the lowest. However, Japanese red pine wood showed the highest in the increase rate of mechanical properties after the thermal compression.