Effect of microwave and steam treatment on the thermo-hygro-plasticity of beech wood

The effects of microwave and steam treatment were analyzed relative to the immediate (thermo-hygro-plasticity) post-assessed (permanent changes) properties wood. study was conducted using European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) standard 1.5 times up-scaled (only for microwave-heated reference samples) bending specimens tested in a static three-point loading mode. plasticized by heat moisture (1) separately (2) simultaneously heating moist (i) various regimes continuous mode, (ii) heated saturated discontinuous Oven-dried at 20 °C served as references. thermo-hygro-plasticity studied immediately after treatment, whereas permanent changes assessed oven-drying 0% content. Permanent structural scanning electron microscopy. Microwave increased plasticity wood (decreasing modulus elasticity 70%) comparably when output content 30% or higher. A similar degree found microwaves. Further analyses confirmed that did not cause any damage structure reduce mechanical performance. results showed is an efficient alternative steaming plasticizing