Bound Water Content and Pore Size Distribution of Thermally Modified Wood Studied by NMR

The physical and mechanical properties of thermally modified wood (TMW) have been comprehensively studied; however, the quantitative analysis of water states and cell wall pores of TMW is limited. In this work, Douglas fir and Norway spruce were thermally modified at 180, 200 and 220 °C, and then studied by NMR cryoporometry method. The results show that thermally modified samples had lower fiber saturation point and the bound water content than the reference samples at all the experimental temperatures, indicating the reduced hygroscopicity due to thermal modification (TM). In addition, TM decreased number of hygroscopic groups, which can be implied by the decreased proportion of bound water sites, and TM also increased the proportion of small voids for bound water clusters. An increase in TM intensity resulted in lower bound water content and a smaller number of hygroscopic groups. In summary, the NMR method detected the water states and pore size distribution and confirmed that TM decreased the fiber saturation point and hygroscopicity of wood by reducing the bound water content and proportion of bound water sites in wood cell walls.

Changes in the wood-water interactions of mahogany wood due to heat treatment

Mahogany wood (Swietenia macrophylla King) was thermally modified by heating at various temperatures. The wood-water-related parameters of the heat-treated wood, including fiber saturation point, equilibrium moisture content, moisture excluding efficiency, hygroscopic hysteresis, swelling, anti-swelling efficiency, water adsorption, and surface wettability were determined to clarify the mechanism of heat treatment to reduce wood hygroscopicity. The wood treated at a higher temperature demonstrated a more significant decrease in hygroscopicity. The reduction in hygroscopicity of the heat-treated wood was partially diminished as the moisture excluding efficiency decreased in the absorption and desorption processes caused by the changes in environmental temperature and relative humidity. The fiber saturation point (determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), surface free energy, and the surface wettability of wood were reduced by heat treatment, resulting in the decreased hygroscopicity of the heat-treated wood. Mahogany wood became more insensitive to the influence of moisture due to the heat treatment, and this effect was more distinct for wood treated at a high temperature.

Investigation of the fiber saturation point of tropical Brazilian wood species

The fiber saturation point (FSP) is an important parameter of wood material, related to dimensional stability and variations of mechanical performance. This paper investigated the FSP values of 15 tropical Brazilian wood species covering all strength classes of the Brazilian standard code. An additional goal was to estimate FSP value based on the wood’s apparent density. The FSP values were determined by measuring the wood specimen dimensions during moisture content reduction from the saturated state. Wood densities at 0% and 12% moisture contents and basic density were determined according to the Brazilian standard code. The average FSP for all wood species was 21.6% moisture content. Among density values, good correlations were observed, and a multivariate regression model for FSP estimation based on wood densities presented a coefficient of determination equal to 13.07%. There was no correlation between FSP and wood densities, suggesting that this parameter is almost constant regardless of the wood species.

Evaluation of Eucalyptus triantha Timber for Structural Applications

Eucalypt wood is an important raw material with multiple uses applied for furniture, pulp and paper, charcoal, biomass, and construction. Sixteen tests were performed to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus triantha, which could estimate the possibility of utilization of this woody material in construction. In all, about 267 repeats were realized. Two moisture contents were regarded according to the Brazilian and American standard documents: fiber saturation point (30%) and standard dried point (12%). Results were statistically treated with t-test and demonstrated increases in six mechanical properties from Eucalyptus triantha wood species: rupture moduli in perpendicular and parallel compressions and static bending; elasticity moduli in parallel tensile, perpendicular compression, and static bending. Volumetric mass and bulk densities were practically stable. Physical and mechanical properties estimation evinced that Eucalyptus triantha wood can be used in structural elements.

INFLUENCE OF VAPORIZATION AND IMPREGNATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON THE DRYING RATE OF Eucalyptus pellita F. MUELL.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaporization and impregnation of silver nanoparticles on the Eucalyptus pellita wood properties. For that, samples of three radial regions of the wood from three trees were vaporized for 12 and 24 hours and later on, they were immersed in solution of silver nanoparticles with and without application of vacuum (750 mm.Hg). Anatomical, physical and chemical analyzes of the wood were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of the treatments. The drying rate of the wood was determined in moisture bands before and after the fiber saturation point. Generally, the treatments did not modify the anatomical characteristics, permeability, and wood density in the three radial regions; however, the vaporization for 24h reduced the total extractive content in the wood. These results contributed in obtaining gains in the drying rate before and after the fiber saturation point. The effect of impregnation of nanoparticles with vacuum preceded by two periods of vaporization resulted in higher drying rates and the time of 24h stood out, resulting in the best averages among all treatments. The impregnation of nanoparticles had positive effects on the drying rate.

Axial tensile properties and flexibility characteristics of elementary units from multidimensional bamboo-based composites: radial and tangential moso bamboo slivers

Bamboo sliver (BS) is a potential elementary unit for multidimensional bamboo-based composites (MBBCs). Axial tensile and flexibility characteristics of thin radial (R) and tangential (T) BSs (BSRand BSTwith a thickness of 0.5–2.0 mm) have been studied. Axial tensile strength (AxTS) and modulus of elasticity (AxMOE) were positively correlated with the vascular tissue ratio (VTR), and the tensile properties of slices with 43–51% VTR increased more rapidly than in the VTR range of 20–36%. In axial tensile tests, cracks propagated along aVorZroute in BSR, while fibers were pulled out in the central section in case of BST. AxTS and AxMOE values increased with decreasing moisture content (MC) at 6.2–16.6% below 75°C. Flexural flexibility (FF) was enhanced with increasing MC and VTR, and the effect of MC on FF was amplified with MCs below the fiber saturation point (FSP).In situscanning electron microscope (SEM) observation during flexural tests revealed a deformation resistance of vascular tissue (VT) and the deformation disposition of parenchyma.

Influence of moisture content on the results of penetration and withdrawal resistance measurements on softwoods

Needle penetration resistance (NPR) and screw withdrawal resistance (SWR) are widely used techniques for density estimation of woods integrated in timber structures. The moisture content (MC) influences these measurements and correction coefficients are needed to ensure the accuracy of results. The goal of the present paper was to scrutinize the relation between NPR and SWR measurements and MC in case of radiata pine, Scots pine, Salzmann pine, and maritime pine usually used in wood constructions, from which 25 specimens from each species were probed. The specimen’s MC ranged from 65.1 to 8.3%. Results show that NPR depth has a positive linear relationship with MC while the SWR force a negative one below the fiber saturation point (FSP). Above the FSP, the MC influence is less pronounced and less regular. MC correction factors of measurements below the FSP are proposed for the species studied.