Temperature-Dependent Creep Behavior and Quasi-Static Mechanical Properties of Heat-Treated Wood

Abstract

In this paper, Berkovich depth-sensing indentation has been used to study the effects of the temperature-dependent quasi-static mechanical properties and creep deformation of heat-treated wood at temperatures from 20 °C to 180 °C. The characteristics of the load–depth curve, creep strain rate, creep compliance, and creep stress exponent of heat-treated wood are evaluated. The results showed that high temperature heat treatment improved the hardness of wood cell walls and reduced the creep rate of wood cell walls. This is mainly due to the improvement of the crystallinity of the cellulose, and the recondensation and crosslinking reaction of the lignocellulose structure. The Burgers model is well fitted to study the creep behavior of heat-treated wood cell walls under different temperatures.