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Surface charring of wood is a one-sided thermal modification process that can be used to create a hydrophobic, durable surface to exterior claddings. Spruce (Picea abies L.) wood samples were charred with a hot plate and several time-temperature combinations while using simultaneous surface compression. Temperature profile, water sorption, cupping after water exposure and density profile were measured. Furthermore, changes in the microstructure and surface functional groups were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and photoacoustic FT-IR spectroscopy. Results show that surface charring notably improves the hydrophobicity measured by contact angle, water floating and dynamic vapour sorption. Increased holding time during charring reduced the sorption but at the same time increased the dimensional instability measured by cupping. The density profile showed a shifting density peak with more severe modification regimes, indicating a more porous surface. The PAS-FTIR showed increased aromaticity of the surface that was also present in the pyrolysis zone beneath the surface in samples modified with longer holding time. Higher modification temperature affected the sorption as well as cupping positively but it is possible similar results can be obtained with lower temperature and longer holding time.

Norway spruce cladding panels were surface charred with a prototype device utilizing a hot plate method. The panels were used to construct a test wall that was exposed to natural weathering for a period of two years. The changes in functional groups were evaluated with photoacoustic FTIR spectroscopy. The analysis revealed degradation of the thermally modified lignin component, indicating poor stability in weathering. Improvements in the prototype device process conditions, such as increased surface pressure and slower feed speed, and future research needs regarding surface charred wood are discussed.

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Water plays a central role in wood research, since it affects all material properties relevant to the performance of wood materials. Therefore, experimental techniques for characterising water within wood are an essential part of nearly all scientific investigations of wood materials. This review focuses on selected experimental techniques that can give deeper insights into various aspects of water in wood in the entire moisture domain from dry to fully water-saturated. These techniques fall into three broad categories: (1) gravimetric techniques that determine how much water is absorbed, (2) fibre saturation techniques that determine the amount of water within cell walls, and (3) spectroscopic techniques that provide insights into chemical wood-water interactions as well as yield information on water distribution in the macro-void wood structure. For all techniques, the general measurement concept is explained, its history in wood science as well as advantages and limitations.

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Water plays an essential role in fungal decay of wood, and limiting the cell wall moisture content by chemical modification can effectively improve the durability of the material. Investigating the wood-water relations of modified material under climatic conditions relevant for fungal decay are, however, experimentally challenging. Most studies in literature therefore focus on moisture sorption under conditions outside those of importance for fungal decay. This review discusses the validity of such data for characterising the wood-water relations at very humid climatic conditions, relevant for fungal decay. Moreover, the review attempts to cover the basics of fungal decay, the important role of water, and how controlling water content by modification can improve durability.

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