Advancing Wood Quality with Convective Vacuum Drying and its Influence on Multiple Properties of Mangifera Indica L. Timber

Abstract

This study looks into the effects of convective vacuum drying on the timber quality of Mangifera indica L. timber, focusing on drying rate, drying time, and mechanical, physical, and anatomical properties. Convective vacuum drying significantly reduced the moisture content of mango wood from 93.10% to 8–12% within approximately 99 hours, enhancing its physical and mechanical properties. The process yielded wood with no visual defects, increased basic density, reduced volumetric shrinkage, and improved mechanical strength metrics such as modulus of elasticity and rupture. Anatomical changes included reductions in vessel and fiber dimensions. The improvements observed suggest that convective vacuum drying is a useful technique for improving the quality of M. indica L. wood, increasing its suitability for a range of industrial uses.