Effect of Thermal Modification Process on Acoustic Properties Used in Musical Instrument Wood

Abstract

Spruce (Picea orientalis), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), and mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) woods are commonly used wood types in making musical instruments. In this study they were subjected to thermal modification at 210 °C for 90 min. The changes in bending strength, sound velocity, acoustic radiation, acoustic impedance, and static and dynamic elasticity modulus values of wood samples after thermal modification were investigated. The results showed that spruce wood's acoustic performance decreased after thermal modification, while maple wood improved. Meanwhile, the acoustic performance of mahogany wood remained unaffected by thermal modification. Examining the alterations in mechanical properties revealed a decline in bending strength in all wood samples that underwent thermal modification. However, an increase in modulus of elasticity values was observed in spruce, whereas no change was found in mahogany and maple.