Color and FTIR Analysis of Chemical Changes in Beech Wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) after Light Steaming and Heat Treatment in Two Different Environments

Abstract

Color and chemical changes were investigated in beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) following light steaming and further heat treatment for 2.5 h at 200 °C by two techniques (industrial ThermoWood versus a laboratory procedure in the presence of air). Colour changes were evaluated in the CIE Lab system, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) investigation was employed to highlight and compare the associated chemical changes. Light steaming caused only minor chemical changes (limited hydrolysis of hemicelluloses) not ready detectable by FTIR. In contrast, heat treatments caused visible changes in the FTIR spectra, especially in the region 1800 to 1500 cm . A significant variation of the ratios of relevant absorption bands indicated complex chemical changes, including hydrolytic, oxidative, and condensation reactions. FTIR ratios and the mass loss values in the two heat treatments relate, both indicating a more advanced modification in the case of the ThermoWood process.

Polymeric Micro- and Nanosystems for Wood Artifacts Preservation

“…The first change that indicates the wood degradation is identified by lignin degradation, through quinone compounds formed responsible for a yellowed surface. These compounds increase the surface roughness, the chemical bonds are weaker, and macroscopic cracks are formed [52]. The treatment of wood with different consolidants causes the alteration of the spectra aspect by the appearance or intensification of some characteristic absorption bands.…”

“…FTIR analysis can be used for solid wood samples being a fast-spectroscopic method and requiring an easy sample preparation. Information regarding the wood degradation can be obtained based on composition, functional groups, and molecular structure [52,58,59]. The degradation mechanism depending on the wood chemical composition (hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives content) is reflected in the chemical changes regarding the reduction of OH groups, increasing of unconjugated carbonyl groups, and formation of aromatic carbonyl conjugated groups as quinoid structures [60] ( Table 1) (Figure 3).…”

Impact of Sycamore Maple Thermal Treatment on a Granulometric Composition of Chips Obtained due to Processing on a CNC Machining Mentre

“…The thermal treatment of wood is an ecological method, as shown by References [3][4][5], which aims to temporarily or permanently modify the physical and mechanical properties of wood. One of the lasting physical changes is the color change of the wood [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Colour Stabilisation of Surface of Four Thermally Modified Woods with Saturated Water Vapour by Finishes

“…The thermal treatment of wood with saturated water vapour is traditionally used in the woodworking industry, for example, in the manufacture of furniture components with solid wood bending, lamination of veneer (laminated bending), interior tiling, and flooring. The thermally-based modification treatment is also accompanied by the chemical reactions of the cell-wall components (polysaccharides, lignin, and extractives), which cause changes in the colour of the wood [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”