Methods for enhancing hardness and dimensional stability of a wood element and wood product having enhanced hardness
The present disclosure includes methods for enhancing hardness and dimensional stability of a wood element. In one embodiment, the method includes placing the wood element in a compression assembly set to a compression temperature between about 365° F. and about 410° F., heating and compressing the wood element without exceeding the species' threshold pressure value to produce a compressed wood product, heating the compressed wood product to a post-compression temperature between about 275° F. and about 350° F., and holding the compressed wood product at the post-compression temperature for about 30 to about 48 hours. The disclosure also includes a wood product having enhanced hardness.
1. A method for enhancing hardness and dimensional stability of a wood element belonging to a species, the method comprising:
placing the wood element in a compression assembly set to a compression temperature between about 365° F. and about 410° F.;
heating and compressing the wood element without exceeding a threshold pressure value to produce a compressed wood product;
heating the compressed wood product to a post-compression temperature between about 275° F. and about 350° F.; and
holding the compressed wood product at the post-compression temperature for 30 to about 48 hours;
wherein the threshold pressure value is based on the species to which the wood element belongs.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein holding the compressed wood product at the post-compression temperature for about 30 to about 48 hours further comprises:
placing the compressed wood product in a heating device; and
clamping the compressed wood product.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising conditioning the wood to obtain a moisture content between about 8% and about 15% prior to compressing the wood element.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein compressing the wood element comprises placing the wood element in a compression assembly, the compression assembly being selected from the group consisting of a platen press, heated rollers, continuous presses, multi-opening presses and single opening presses.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Red Alder, Eucalyptus, and Pacific Coast Maple.
6. A method for producing a wood product having enhanced hardness comprising:
conditioning a wood element to obtain a moisture content of about 8% to about 15%;
placing the wood element in a compression assembly set to a compression temperature between about 365° F. and about 410° F.;
compressing the wood element without exceeding a threshold pressure value to form a compressed wood product by:
reducing the wood element's caliper under pressure; and
simultaneously increasing a core temperature of the wood element;
removing the compressed wood product from the compression assembly;
heating the compressed wood product to a post-compression temperature between about 275° F. and about 350° F.;
placing the compressed wood product in an oven;
clamping the compressed wood product; and
holding the compressed wood product at the post-compression temperature for about 30 to about 48 hours to produce a wood produce having enhanced hardness.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the wood element, the compressed wood product, and the wood product having enhanced hardness are not treated with a chemical component or subjected to a chemical process.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the wood product having enhanced hardness has a hardness of greater than 1000 Janka based on a Janka Ball Test.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the wood element belongs to a species, the species being selected from the group consisting of Red Alder, and Eucalyptus and Pacific Coast Maple.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein compressing the wood element comprises placing the wood element in a compression assembly, the compression assembly being selected from the group consisting of a platen press, heated rollers, continuous presses, multi-opening presses and single opening presses.