Testing common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) acetylated with the Accoya method under industrial conditions

摘要

Abstract: Hornbeam wood is known for its high density, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance, but due to its low durability (Class 5 according to EN 350), limited wood quality, and rather small sawmill yield, it is mainly utilized as firewood today. The potential for hornbeam to be used as solid, high-quality wood material exists if its durability and dimensional stability can be increased. Hornbeam boards were acetylated under industrial conditions and tests were carried out to evaluate the treatability of this wood species by acetylation. In this study, the examination of physical, mechanical, and durability properties of acetylated hornbeam wood are described and compared to untreated hornbeam and to acetylated beech, which has a similar anatomical structure to hornbeam. Acetylated hornbeam was also compared to acetylated radiata pine, which is the main product of Accsys Technologies. These comparisons include the determination of the equilibrium moisture content, density, dimensional stability, accelerated checking, color change, water uptake, decay resistance, compression strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), impact bending strength, Janka hardness, Brinell hardness, and impact bending strength. The aim of this project is the creation of a new product thereby widening the usage of this species.