Effect of microwave treatment on air permeabilityand preservative impregnation of Eucalyptus tereticornis wood

摘要

Low permeability of many wood species causes problems during timber drying as well as impregnating with preservatives and resins. In the present study, microwave treatment of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. wood which is difficult to treat, was done at 2.45 GHz frequency at different levels of intensity and radiation time. The gas permeability of E. tereticornis wood was measured in an in-house built apparatus. Preservative uptake/retention was tested using Acid Copper Chrome preservative by dipping method. The effect of radiation intensity and time was studied with respect to air permeability and preservative uptake. The results revealed remarkable increase in longitudinal wood air permeability and preservative uptake with the increase of intensity andtime of treatment. The results indicate that this technology could be tested and applied on pilot scale for application in wood preservation industry.