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Fungal decay of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood

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Abstract

Low-density hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus trichocarpa) was densified with the viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) process to three different degrees of densification (63%, 98%, and 132%). Durability of the VTC treated specimens was assessed by exposure to two white rot fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor) for four or eight weeks. After incubation, mass loss in grams and percentage mass loss were determined. The results showed that VTC densification did not change decay resistance to Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor. The mass losses caused by Trametes versicolor were more extensive than those by Pleurotus ostreatus. As expected, longer exposure time resulted in higher mass loss. Furthermore, the degree of densification did not influence susceptibility to fungal degradation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Primorska Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Primorska, Muzejski trg 2, 6000, Koper, Slovenia

    Andreja Kutnar

  2. Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, 119 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Andreja Kutnar & Frederick A. Kamke

  3. Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Wood Science and Technology, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Miha Humar & Milan Sernek

Authors
  1. Andreja Kutnar
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  2. Miha Humar
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  3. Frederick A. Kamke
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  4. Milan Sernek
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Correspondence to Andreja Kutnar.

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Kutnar, A., Humar, M., Kamke, F.A. et al. Fungal decay of viscoelastic thermal compressed (VTC) wood. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 69, 325–328 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-010-0432-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-010-0432-z

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