THE CHANGES IN SOME PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STEAMED SPRUCE (Picea orientalis L.) WOOD

The main objective of this study was to investigate the changes in the physical and the mechanical properties of spruce log steamed for 12 hours as an hydro-thermal process. The log was divided into two equal parts. While one part was used for control, the other was used for test. Beside the bending and impact strength and compression strength in longitudinal direction, the equilibrium moisture content, specific gravity, radial and tangential swelling and shrinkage were determined. As a result, the air-dry specific gravity, the equilibrium moisture content and radial shrinkage and swelling of steamed samples were lower. The mechanical properties, especially the bending and impact strengths of steamed samples decreased