Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Effect of thermal oil treatment of poplar wood (Populus alba) using sesame oil on physical and mechanical properties and (Microcerotermes diversus) termite resistance

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
vaad sabeti asl 1
ladan poursartip 2
Parizad Sheikhi 3
1 Department of Cellulose Industry Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran
2 Department of Cellulose Industry Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran.
3 Department of Mechanic, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran.
10.22034/ijwp.2024.2031784.1674
Abstract
Problem definition and objectives: Various methods have been employed to improve the properties of wood through thermal treatment, which fundamentally involves the chemical alteration of wood via heat. Treatment with hot oil can enhance the undesirable properties of wood by ensuring uniform heat penetration throughout the wood structure and limiting oxygen access to reduce fire risk. In environmentally friendly thermal treatments, natural and renewable oils are used without toxic substances. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of thermal oil treatment on poplar wood using sesame oil to evaluate attacks by the termite Microcerotermes diversus silvestri and to study the physical and mechanical properties of treated samples.
Methodology: Samples of poplar wood (Populus alba) were cut from a 40 cm diameter disc into standard dimensions for physical, mechanical, and biological testing. They were then treated with sesame oil at temperatures of 115, 145, and 170 degrees Celsius for durations of 30 and 60 minutes. Several physical properties of the samples were calculated based on standard ISO 13061-2 (2014), including water absorption percentage, volumetric swelling percentage after immersion in water for 2 and 24 hours, dry density, and percentage weight gain after treatment. The assessment of termite feeding percentage was conducted according to AWPA E1-06 standards. The mechanical properties of both control and treated samples—including modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, were measured after undergoing three-point bending tests using an Instron device in accordance with ASTM D 143-09 standards.
Results: The findings indicated that with an increase in temperature and treatment duration, the intensity of termite attacks decreased in both selective and non-selective tests. Additionally, the heat oil treatment led to a reduction in water absorption, an increase in weight, and a relative improvement in the dimensional stability of the treated samples. The density of the samples increased with oil absorption, particularly with rising temperature and treatment duration, confirming improvements in physical and anti-biological properties. The highest density was achieved at a temperature of 145 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes. Examination of the elastic and flexural moduli of both control and treated samples showed that short-term treatment at 115 degrees Celsius resulted in a slight increase in elastic modulus. However, increasing temperature and treatment duration led to a decrease in both mentioned mechanical factors.
Conclusion: According to the conducted studies, heat oil treatment with sesame oil enhances the resistance of poplar wood against termite attacks. On the other hand, the results demonstrated that heat oil treatment can improve certain physical properties of wood that may limit its applications, significantly reduce its hygroscopicity, and also contribute to dimensional stability for poplar wood. However, with increasing temperature and treatment duration, mechanical resistances such as elastic modulus and flexural strength decrease.
Keywords
Poplar
termite
oil-heat modification
sesame oil
physical and mechanical properties

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries
Volume 15, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 491-505