Three components are essential for lumber to completely dry:
- An atmosphere efficient in obtaining water vapor
- Air activity around the lumber
- Driving water out from the wood using energy
More merely mentioned, warmth, dry air, as well as the wind are required. In the summer, prevailing winds, reduced ambient moisture, as well as sunlight, give the necessary three ingredients to completely dry 1-inch red oak boards to 20 percent MC in 2-3 months. Bear in mind, nonetheless, that humidity levels in cool domestic or industrial structures will cause timber moisture components of 6-10 percent or lower in the winter months.
When damp or green lumber starts to completely dry, the water that is first eliminated is called free water. The energy needed to evaporate this water is the same needed to steam water. When all the free water has been eliminated, the timber has got to the fiber saturation point or FSP. The FSP ranges 25-30 percent MC, relying on timber types.
The water that stays in the timber below the FSP is called bound water as well as requires substantially higher power levels to damage its bonds with the wood. In fact, as the dampness content drops, the power required to dry out the wood increases dramatically.
Eventually, the timber will get to a wet material that remains stable with the surrounding ambient air as well as humidity. While a 1-inch red oak board might take 2-3 months to air-dry, a 2-inch board might take 6-8 months, and also thicker lumber might take years.
Always, wood lumber, like red oak, is air-dried to 25-30 percent MC, then placed in a wood drying kiln, an atmosphere where the rate of drying out can be enhanced as well as managed. The costs and time connected with this method should be thought about by possible users prior to purchasing drying out facilities. However, the benefits can be significant. For lots of uses, dry lumber is liked or even needed.