Quality assessment of Eucalyptus delegatensis dried in the solar kiln

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the timber quality of Alpine Ash known as Eucalyptus delegatensis dried in a solar kiln. The maximal temperature and relative humidity (RH) during daytime were set at 430C/72% RH and during the night time at ambient temperature (AmbT)/90% RH. The results showed that the humidity was not reached but all sample boards were under the acceptable limit of cupping, spring, and bow. However, the twist of three out of twelve sample boards was above the acceptable limit. The mean compressive strain was -2 x 10-4 mm/mm in the core layers and the tensile strain was 14 x 10-4 mm/mm in the outer layers. Mean moisture gradient was 0.6% MC between outer and inner layers. There..