본 연구에서는 과열증기를 이용한 열처리 공정 제어 방법을 설계하고 적용하였다. $170^{circ}C$, 0.4 MPa 조건의 과열증기에서 약 10시간 동안 열처리한 잣나무 판재의 물리 및 역학적 성질 변화를 무처리재 및 $220^{circ}C$ 상압조건에서 일반 열처리한 목재와 비교하였다. 과열증기 처리재는 무처리재에 비해서 수분 흡습량 및 평형함수율이 낮아졌으며, 종압축 강도 및 휨 강도가 증가하였다. 흡습성은 일반 열처리재와 비슷하였으며, 일반 열처리 시 발생하기 쉬운 내부 할렬은 발생하지 않았다. 또한 과열증기 처리에 의해서 잣나무 내부에 있는 다량의 송진이 제거되는 효과도 나타내었다.
In this study, the method for heat treating wood using superheated steam (SHS) was designed and applied. The physical and mechanical properties of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc.) lumber heat-treated by SHS at $170^{circ}C$ and 0.4 MPa for 10 hours were compared with those of non-treated and normal heat-treated wood. The amount of adsorbed water and equilibrium moisture content of the SHS treated wood were lower than non-treated wood. On the other hand the compressive strength parallel to grain and the bending strength of SHS treated wood were higher than those of non-treated wood. The hygroscopicity of SHS treated wood was similar to normal heat treated wood at $220^{circ}C$. Internal checks that often occur during normal heat treatment were not developed at SHS treatment. Also, SHS treatment are effective in control of internal checks occurrence and resin exudation.
