LAUSR

Abstract The elasticity in bending of European oak (Quercus robur L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) timber was evaluated before and after thermal modification and related to the changes in chemical composition of the wood as a result of the modification. A new software was developed (MATESS) and used to identify characteristic points on the force-deformation diagram. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), stress at the limit of proportionality (LOP) and elastic potential (PE) were used to describe the wood properties. Extractives, lignin, cellulose, holocellulose, and hemicelluloses were analysed to reveal the patterns that occur during the loading of the specimens. Thermal modification lowers the mechanical properties (MOE, LOP and PE) of oak and spruce wood, and the reduction increases with increasing modification temperature. Changes in chemical composition of thermally modified wood show a strong relationship to the reduction in elasticity properties for bot species.