• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

In this study, the surface check reduction effect of preservative-treated Korean larch round-wood was investigated by applying three physical treatments, such as incising, kerfing, and kiln-drying. Moreover, the possibility of long-term service life was also checked by comparing the depth of surface check and the penetration depth of preservative. A rapid gradient of wood moisture content between surface and center causes a surface check. Thus, the effect of reducing surface check was carried out at the lowest equilibrium moisture content (EMC) condition, temperature ($2^{\circ}C$), humidity (44.6%), in outdoor locations in Korea until the test specimens reach to the 8.6% EMC. As a result, the preservative-treated specimens without incising, kerfing, kiln-drying (Type C) could not ensure the long-term service life due to a large surface check. Because the surface check depth of all specimens was deeper than the penetration depth of preservative. In case of the incising treated specimens (Type I), 80% of them, the depth of surface check was not deeper than the penetration depth of preservative. However, when a kerfing was additionally treated (Type B), a possibility of happening deeper surface check than penetration depth of preservative was increased rather than Type I.