CHARACTERIZATION OF IGNITION PROCESS OF THERMALLY TREATED WOOD BY CONE CALORIMETER

This study examines the influence of thermal treatment on the ignition properties of Norway spruce (Piceaabies (L.) H. Karst.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) wood. Using a cone calorimeter both untreated and thermally modified samples (180°C for 6 h) were analysed to determine key fire modelling parameters: combustion efficiency, critical heat flux, ignition temperature, thermal inertia, and thermal response parameter. Obtained results reveal that thermally treated wood exhibits higher combustion efficiency than its untreated equivalent, with spruce generally outperforming oak. The effect of thermal treatment on other properties was species-dependent. Thermally treated spruce showed an increase in critical heat flux and a decrease in both thermal inertia and the thermal response parameter. Conversely, thermally treated oak displayed a reduction in critical heat flux and an increase in both thermal inertia and the thermal response parameter. These results highlight the complex, species-specific effects of thermal modification on the fire behaviour of wood.