Air permeability of thermally modified hemlock wood

Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a prevalent coastal species in British Columbia (BC). Its wood has high potential for thermal modification, process that can affect numerous physical properties, including air permeability. The current study investigates the longitudinal permeability of modified at three temperature levels, 170 °C, 212 and 230 two-hour treatment length. Permeability values obtained using Darcy’s law water-falling volume displacement method were positively correlated with up to after which decreased slightly. ANOVA followed by Duncan test revealed °C significantly increased permeability, whereas it was insignificant °C.