Due to large quantities of blue stained wood with low market value, we aimed to determine whether we can increase its market value with the process of thermal modification. Blue stained and control samples were thermally modified at two different temperatures. A series of tests were then performed. Mass loss, colour change, compressive strength, bending strength, contact angle, short-term and long-term liquid water uptake, and sorption properties were determined. Results have shown that thermally modified wood has deteriorated mechanical properties, but all the other properties have improved with the process of thermal modification. Thermal modification significantly improved contact angle of blue stained specimens, whereas control specimens remained more or less the same. Same goes for short-term and long-term water uptake, both of which performed poorly prior to thermal modification compared to control specimens. Thermal modification improved the blue stained specimens to the point, where the results were comparable to control specimens. Equilibrium moisture content of all thermally modified specimens decreased. Drying velocity was also improved by thermal modification. The series of the performed tests showed that it is possible to improve blue stained wood's properties with thermal modification and therefore greatly increasing its market value.
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