Table of Contents
What is Seasoning Of Timber
Seasoning of Timber is a procedure in which moisture content in the timber is reduced up to a certain level to increase the performance of Timber. A well-seasoned timber contains 15 % moisture.
Why we need Seasoning Of Timber
- Seasoning increases the strength of the timber.
- To make concrete durable.
- To increase dimensional stability.
- Seasoning reduces the weight of timber.
Seasoning Methods
There are two methods of Seasoning as classified below
- Natural Seasoning
- Artificial Seasoning
Let us discuss both methods one by one.
1. Natural Seasoning
In natural seasoning, timber is dried by natural elements like air and water. Natural Seasoning has two methods.
(I) Water Method
(II) Air Method
Let us discuss these two natural methods.
(I) Water Method
In this method, timber is immersed in water flow to remove the sap from timber. It is a time-consuming process and takes 2 to 4 weeks before ready to dry.
(II) Air Method
In this method, wood is exposed to air. The first timber is arranged in layers in an open shed. A platform is built on the ground which is normally 300 mm in height from the ground. Timber should arrange in a way that provides free air circulation. Like the water method, it is also slow to process but provides better quality compare to the Air method.
2. Artificial Seasoning
To achieve fast results artificial Seasoning was adopted. This process takes only 4 to 5 days.
There are four methods of artificial seasoning as follows.
(I) Seasoning By Boiling
(II) Chemical Seasoning
(III) Kiln Seasoning
(IV) Electrical Seasoning
(I) Seasoning By Boiling
In this method wooden logs boiled in hot water for 3-4 hours. For a large quantity of timber, steam is passed in an enclosed area. It is a costly process.
(II) Chemical Seasoning
In this method, timber is submerged in a suitable salty solution. A salty solution absorbs water from the timber. After removal of moisture, content timber is allowed to dry.
(III) Kiln Seasoning
In this method, timber was kept in an airtight chamber and then hot air circulated between the timber logs. It is a very costly process but provides well-seasoned timber.
(IV) Electrical Seasoning
In method Alternative electrical current passes through the wet timber. As we know wet timber is a conductor of electricity. Electrical current passes when resistance reached the required level. It is a very costly method.