Element 4 : Hardwood initiative - Development of new processes and technologies in the hardwood industry : Best practices to avoid hardwood checking. Part 1. Hardwood checking - the causes and prevention
Transformative Technologies Program ; Project No. TT4.3.03
201005167
Location
Québec, Québec
Language
English
Abstract
Wood checking is a major problem that has a significant economic impact for hardwood producers and consumers. Wood checking can occur on logs, green lumber, dried lumber and final products during manufacturing, drying process, storage and end-use. Checking on wood products is caused by many internal and external factors such as wood species, moisture content, storage method, drying process, temperature, relative humidity, air flow velocity and solar radiation. While it is impossible to completely eliminate wood checking; it however can be controlled to an acceptable level with proper measures. The control measures include best practices in harvesting, storage, sawing, drying, chemical coatings, physical methods and controlling end-use environmental conditions. This report provides scientific information on the nature of different types of checks that may occur on various wood products, checking conditions and control measures.