Effect of Changes in Surface Visual Properties of Heat-treated Wood on the Psychological Preference

Authors

  • Yue Zhang State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China; Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
  • Yeyingzi Guo Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
  • Peixing Wei Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
  • Zhengbin He State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China
  • Songlin Yi State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China
  • Guangjie Zhao State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China

Keywords:

Heat-treated wood, Color, Grain contrast, Preference, Eye-tracking

Abstract

Heat treatment of wood is an attractive, environmentally friendly modification, which can change surface visual properties of wood including color and grain, but it is unclear how heat-treated wood is perceived and evaluated compared with untreated wood. In this paper, Chinese fir was heat-treated at 160, 180, 200, or 220 °C for 2 or 4 h. The changes of wood surface color and grain contrast were measured. A subjective questionnaire and eye-tracking technology were used for psychological evaluation. The results showed that changes in the visual properties of heat-treated wood had a significant effect on psychological preference—heat-treated wood was generally more preferred than the untreated, particularly at 200 °C for 4 h. Grain contrast and hue played an important role in the preference for heat-treated wood. The preference gave people the positive psychological impression of warmth, weight, cost, prevalence, and comfort. Eye-tracking analysis showed that Chinese fir heat-treated at about 200 °C with high hue value and clear grain contrast was easier to gain more visual attention. The results would have a high technical reference value for the heat-treated wood in product visual design.

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Published

2024-05-28

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication