Properties of White Pine Lumber Dried by Radio-Frequency/Vacuum Process and Conventional Kiln Process

Authors

  • Robert A. Harris
  • Andy W. C. Lee

Keywords:

White pine, radio-frequency/vacuum, dielectric, kiln drying, EMC, specific gravity, static bending, shear, hardness, compression strength

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate selected physical and mechanical properties of white pine lumber dried by a radio-frequency/vacuum drying process compared to lumber dried in a conventional kiln. Twenty-four 8/4 white pine boards 16 feet long were cut in half to provide end-matched, 8-ft long boards. One half of the boards was dried in a radio-frequency/vacuum (RFV) kiln and the other half in a conventional kiln. The RFV drying process produced white pine lumber with slightly, but significantly higher equilibrium moisture content, and lower compressive strength than lumber dried by a conventional process. No difference was detected for static bending, shear, hardness, or specific gravity.

References

American Society For Testing and Materials. 1978. Annual book of ASTM standards, part 22. Philadelphia, PA.nHarris, R. A., and M. A. Taras. 1983. Unpublished data.nHarris, R. A., and M. A. Taras. 1984. A comparison of moisture content distribution, stress distribution and shrinkage of red oak lumber dried by a radio-frequency/vacuum drying process and a conventionalkiln. For. Prod. J. 34(1):44-54.nLee, Andy W. C., and R. A. Harris. 1984. Properties of red oak lumber dried by radio-frequency/vacuum process and dehumidification process. For. Prod. J. 34(5):56-58.nPanshin, A. J. and C. De Zeeuw. 1980. Textbook of wood technology, 4th ed. Mcgraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY.nRasmussen, E. F. 1961. Dry kiln operator's manual. USDA Handbook No. 188. Madison, WI.nSkaar, C. 1972. Water in wood. Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY. P. 66.nWengert, E. M., and F. M. Lamb. 1982. Hardwood drying test evaluates new methods. For. Ind. 109(13):21-22 (Dec.).n

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Published

2007-06-28

Issue

Number 4 / October 1985

Section

Research Contributions

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