Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Cork Through Thermal High-Temperature Treatment (THT) and Boiling

The ecological treatment of cork, at high temperature brings about some changes in its mechanical and chemical properties, which make cork a new material with different types of performance (thermal, mass, acoustic and vibratory). For this purpose, our study focuses on determining the optimal thermal cycle by using TGA and IR analyses. In terms of mass insulation, the calculation of the diffusion coefficient, which is a potential indicator of cork improvement, is carried out using new experimental protocols that consist of high-temperature treatment (THT) in addition to boiling. The obtained results show that the lowest value of the apparent diffusion coefficient of cork (Dapp) is reached when the thermal high-temperature treatment (THT) is preceded by boiling and when the heat rate is 0.5C/mn. The average value of Dapp is determined through the calibration of theoretical model with the experimental data collected by utilising conductimetric measures. Using the Bat-Algorithm, the Dapp is determined accurately with a relative error of 10-7. Furthermore, the Dapp value is affected by the heat rate during the treatment cycle.