Physical properties in wood during press-vacuum drying: colour changes and other phenomena

During drying process many changes occur in wood, both physical and mechanical ones. The main topic then discussed are about colour changes, shrinkage and swelling and wetability of the wood surfaces according to different thermo-hygrometrical treatment carried out on small laboratory dryig apparatus suitable for press vacuum cycles. Thr drying schedules tested are about the continuous vacuum process carried out on sapwood of Tulipier (Liriodendron tulipifera) specimens: the physical properties changes obtained by hard schedules (moderate vacuum and high temperature) and soft schedules (vacuum suitable for mederate temperature) are compared with the properties on timber equilibrated in climatic chamber.