Influence of thermo-vacuum treatment on bending properties of poplar rotary-cut veneer

The present paper investigates the influence of thermo-vacuum treatment at 170, 190 and 210 °C on the mechanical and physical properties of poplar wood rotary-cut veneers obtained from two different poplar clones ('I-214' and 'Lena'). The modulus of rupture in bending was determined according to a method derived from European Standard EN-310 and previously validated by the authors, while the density was determined on the basis of EN-323. With both clones no significant decrease was recorded either in bending strength or in density with treatment temperatures up to 190 °C. On the contrary, at 210 °C a highly significant decrease in modulus of rupture ('I-214': -18%; 'Lena': -15%) was recorded; the density showed a similar, though lower, trend ('I- 214': -5 %; 'Lena': -8.5 %).