1-THERMOWOOD METHOD
Thermowood thermal method has been patented for the members of the International Thermowood Association. The process can be divided into three phases:
1. Temperature increase and high temperature drying:
Wood temperature is raised rapidly using heat and steam to a level of around 100 °C. Thereafter the temperature is increased steadily to 130 °C and moisture content reduces to nearly zero.
2. Heat Threatment:
Whenever high heat drying is occured the temperature is increased to a level of 185-215 °C. When the target level has been reached, the temperature remains constant 2-3 hours.
3. Cooling and Conditioning:
In the final stage, the temperature is reduced to 50°C-60 °C by using water spraying system, this process is continued to when the moisture content is reached to 4% -6%.
When the temperature is raised or lowered, a special adjustment system is used in order to prevent surface and inside splitting and checking. Customised adjustment values are used for different wood species and dimensions.(thickness,width)
The raw material can be green or kiln-dried wood. If the process is begun with green wood, the wood can be dried in a very fast high-temperature drying process. The method is suitable for every kind of wood species.