When thinking about applying heat to materials i didn't think of heat in terms of temperature and using a 'wet heat' such as applying hot air and steam! which is how wood can be treated to make it more malleable! I did some internet research, and found some interesting youtube videos showing heat bending methods using household items such as a microwave, kettle and wall paper steamer! to heat treat wood as well how make a Do it yourself steam box! (although this is for small pieces of wood) which was interesting as i assumed heat treatment could only be achieved by using some form of machinery.
'All steam does is use molecular water to transfer heat. The same effects can be achieved by boiling the lumber or placing it in a very large oven. The moisture in the wood simply acts as a conductor for the heat'
'All steam does is use molecular water to transfer heat. The same effects can be achieved by boiling the lumber or placing it in a very large oven. The moisture in the wood simply acts as a conductor for the heat'
After continuing my research i realised another assumption i had made about Heat treatment! that it was purely to alter the shape of material and make material more flexible. With wood however i found out that heat treatment can be used to improve usability, durability and prevent wood from rotting easily after being exposed to really high temperatures which change the properties of the material. I also was surprised to learn that heat treatment can be used to simply change the colouring of wood (particularly soft woods), as heat treated wood turns more of a nice brownish colouring. This is particularly good for preserving tropical woods which are desirable for their beautiful colour as heat treated soft woods can be used as an alternative.
I found the internet very useful for researching heat treatment of wood as i couldn't find anything particularly helpful in the library. the youtube videos were excellent in demonstrating processes and helping me to understand as simple reading about them wasn't particularly useful.
I found the internet very useful for researching heat treatment of wood as i couldn't find anything particularly helpful in the library. the youtube videos were excellent in demonstrating processes and helping me to understand as simple reading about them wasn't particularly useful.