Investigation on rhermo-hydro mechanical treatments effects to densify Tasmanian planted and native timber species

Young and fast grown plantation timbers differ in quality and product performances due to the higher amount of juvenile wood and the presence of features, which are deemed to decrease the overall wood density and structural performances, hindering their adoption and use in structural applications. Wood modification treatments as densification have been developed to address the major issues related to wood properties such as density, durability, insulation capacities and workability, as well as overall in- place performances. In particular Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical treatments (THM) have been the innovation for wood densification, as the combined use of pressure and high temperatures in a steamed environment has shown great advantages in lowering the damages to the timber while maintaining the shape effect of the treatments.