The effect of pre-freezing treatment on the color changes and wettability of teak wood (Tectona grandis Linn.F.)

Abstract

Abstract Pre-freezing treatment is one of the methods used for increased the properties of wood. The pre-freezing treatment affects the physical properties of wood, extractive, and surface conditions, this will affect the wettability of wood and wood color. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of pre-freezing treatment on the color changes and changes in contact angle and wettability of wood. The study was conducted on teak wood (Tectona grandis) with the temperature -16°C for 24 hours and 48 hours. The results of this study showed that the pre-freezing treatment made decreasing of brightness with a reduction of the k-value. Besides, the pre-freezing time affected the wettability of wood. The wettability of wood was declined with increased time of pre-freezing. Wood utilization as a raw material of composite needed more treatment to increase the wettability of wood.