MODIFICATION OF THE ORIGINAL COLOR OF THE Eucalyptus grandis WOOD BY HEAT TREATMENTS

The objective of this study was to determine the modification of original color of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden wood after heat-treatment. Wood samples were heat-treated under different temperatures (180, 200, 215 and 230 degrees C) and time conditions (15 minutes, 2 and 4 hours). Color analysis were performed on the CIE L*a*b* system by using a Color Eye XTH-X-Rite 200d spectrophotometer. All heat treatments promoted an alteration of the original color of wood. Heat-treated woods presented lower L* (lightness) values than untreated wood (control), characterizing the wood darkness, mainly for more severe conditions of temperature and time. Chromatic coordinates (a* and b*) showed different behaviors depending on the temperature-time combination. The modification of the original color of the wood allowed the creation of new color patterns, which can add greater value to the studied wood.