EFFECTS OF DRYING TEMPERATURE ON SOME PROPERTIES OF Pinus elliottii Engelm WOOD

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of drying temperature on some properties of juvenile and mature wood of Pinus elliottii Engelm. The  properties of lumber kiln-dried at 60, 100 and 140°C were comparated to lumber dried at 20°C and 65% relative humidity. The results had shown an increase of the equilibrium moisture content directly related to the increase of the nominal specific gravity (12%). However, an inverse behavior was observed in relation to the drying temperature. The nominal specific gravity, elasticity modulus (MOE) and rupture modulus (MOR)  presented inferior characteristics in the mature wood when compared to those of the juvenile wood. The average values of MOE and MOR had not presented significant differences with the rise of the drying temperature. However, the MOR demonstrated tendency of reduction.