Heated wood, future material

2001/05/14 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Materialak
• Ingurumena

The characteristics of the wood, under the influence of a temperature of 200 C or higher, vary notably. The carbohydrates of the wood are fragmented and their result is not useful for the fungi that rot the wood. In addition, the protective components of the wood are distributed in a way that is efficient in all the material. The heat treatment lasts 24 hours and although it can be treated any type of wood, the most used are pine, fir, birch and heron.

The hot-treated wood “lives” less than the untreated wood, that is, contraction and inflammation are largely avoided. This allows to expand the use, for example, of doors and windows. In addition, in those places where the climate changes according to the time of the year, there are no cracks and, due to the color change caused by the treatment, it resembles the noble woods. In this way, it is the perfect ecological substitute for tropical timber.

The wood obtained by the new method is mainly used for the coating of walls and the manufacture of saunas in interior floors, but also for furniture or any other instrument or decorative element.

When it comes to choosing raw materials, people are increasingly concerned about the environment and the hot treated wood satisfies the desires of consumers and authorities. And, without the need for chemical treatments that harm the environment or human health, it is suitable for use outside the home.