Wood is a thermally degradable and combustible material. Applications range from a
biomass providing useful energy to a building material with unique properties. Wood
products can contribute to unwanted fires and be destroyed as well. Minor amounts of
thermal degradation adversely affect structural properties. Therefore, knowledge of the
thermal degradation and fire performance of wood can be critical in many applications.
Chemical treatments are available to improve fire performance characteristics.

As wood reaches elevated temperatures, the different chemical components undergo
thermal degradation that affect the performance of wood. The extent of these changes
depends on the temperature level and length of time under exposure conditions. Permanent
reductions in strength and modulus of elasticity can occur at temperatures> 65 C, with the
amount depending on the temperature, pH of wood, moisture content, heating medium,
exposure period, chemical treatment, and species (Winandy and Rowell, 2013). Studies …