Influence of Thermal Modification on Surface Properties and Chemical Composition of Beech Wood (Fagus sylvatica L.)

• Thermal modi fi cation leads to the degradation of the compounds in wood, thereby changing the chemical composition of wood, which can affect the further wood fi nishing. In order to determine the effect of thermal modi fi cation on wood fi nishing, it is important to know the properties of its surface. In this research, the in fl uence of thermal modi fi cation on pH, surface free energy, contact angle of coating and chemical composition of beech wood was studied. The results of this study show that acidity and water contact angle on beech wood was higher and polar component of surface free energy was lower after thermal modi fi cation. Furthermore, contact angle of waterborne coating on beech wood was increased by increasing the modi fi cation temperature and the content of extractives soluble in hot water and in organic solvent was increased after thermal modi fi cation of beech wood.