By: Amoo-Onidundu O. N.; Noah A. S.; Olajide O. B.; Oriire L. T.; Agbeje A. M.;
Abstract:
Coating of timber end‐grain is known to control end checks which reduces timber drying quality. Effect of end‐ coating on the drying quality of Brachystegia eurycoma boards was assessed. Twenty‐four flatsawn boards from the corewood dimensioned (25 mm x 300 mm x 2125 mm) board from the base of a 45‐year‐old Brachystegia eurycoma log were obtained. Samples were separated into three groups of 8 boards each: paint‐coated, wax‐ coated and uncoated (control). From each group, four boards were selected for air drying (AD) and solar kiln drying (SKD). Initial moisture content of boards was determined while boards’ final moisture content, FMC (%) and drying rate, DR (%/day) were calculated. Checks were evaluated according to standard procedures after 28 days. Environmental condition (temperature‐T, °C and relative humidity‐RH, %) of AD and SKD were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). In AD, average FMC was 15.70±0.04% and 30.49±0.05% while DR was 3.01±0.00%/day and 2.48±0.02%/day for Control and wax‐coated boards, respectively. Percentage of defected boards ranged from 25% (paint‐coated) to 100% (Control). However, in SKD, average FMC was 9.25±0.05% and 19.91±0.07% while DR was 3.24±0.01%/day and 2.86±0.01%/day for Control and wax‐coated boards, respectively. Percentage of defected boards ranged from 0% (paint‐coated) to 50% (Control). Average temperature was 32.75°C and 47.48 °C while RH was 80.25% and 57.75% in AD and SKD, respectively. Boards whose end‐grains were coated with paint performed best in terms of drying quality.
Keywords: Wood; temperature; relative; humidity; drying quality
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