Generally, Seasoning of Timber is aks in exam or viva or interview in this way this What do you mean by the seasoning of Timber? Describe the method of seasoning timber so in this civil experience explain seasoning of timber
Seasoning of Timber
Definition of Seasoning
The process of drying or reducing the moisture content of timber is called its seasoning.
Water must be removed from the timber before it can be put to any engineering application/use.
Methods of Seasoning Timber
There are mainly two methods of seasoning viz.
- Natural seasoning.
- Artificial seasoning.
Natural Seasoning
Here the seasoning is carried out in natural air.
The timber is cut and sawn in a suitable section of planks.
These timber pieces are stacked either horizontally or vertically through which free circulation of air is ensured.
Advantages Seasoning of Wood
➣ The moisture content of timber can be brought down to 10 to 20% depending on the climatic condition
➣ Natural seasoning does not require skilled supervision
➣ This method is cheap and easy.
Disadvantages Seasoning of Timber
➣ The conditions of natural seasoning are difficult to control.
➣ The moisture content of timber cannot be brought down to the desired level.
➣ The space requirement for natural seasoning is quite large.
➣ The drying of timber is not uniform.
➣ The rate of seasoning is very small i.e. the process of natural seasoning is very slow.
Artificial Seasoning
In order to overcome the disadvantages or drawbacks of natural seasoning, artificial seasoning is resorted to.
The following are some of the methods of artificial seasoning:
Boiling
Here the timber is immersed in water and boiled for about 3 to 4 hours.
It is a quick method but it is costly.
Chemical Seasoning of Timber
Here the timber is immersed in a suitable salt solution and then seasoning in an ordinary way.
In this method, the inner surface of timber dries up prior to the outer surface and thus the possibility of external cracks gets reduced.
Kiln Seasoning of Timber
In this method, the timber is denied in an airtight oven.
Saturated air (with moisture) and which is heated to about 35°C to 38°C is then forced inside the oven.
Since air is fully saturated with moisture and thus evaporation from the timber surface is not there however the heat gradually maintain till the desired level of seasoning has achieved.
Electrical Seasoning
In this method, a high-frequency alternating current is used.
Wet timber offers less resistance to the flow of current but due to the inherent electrical resistance of timber, heat is generated which dries up the timber faster.
As the timber goes on drying, resistance keeps on increasing thereby increasing the rate of the seasoning process.
This method is quite costly.
FAQ 1: What is the Definition of Seasoning?
The process of drying or reducing the moisture content of timber is called its seasoning.
FAQ 2: Methods of Seasoning Timber?
[1] Natural seasoning. [2] Artificial seasoning.
