Identification of anisotropic vibrational properties of Padauk wood with interlocked grain

Grain deviations and high extractives content are common features of many tropical woods. This study aimed at clarifying their respective impact on vibrational properties, referring to African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a species selected for its interlocked grain, high extractives content and uses in xylophones. Specimens were cut parallel to the trunk axis (L), and local variations in grain angle (GA), microfibril angle (MFA), specific Young’s modulus (E′ _L /ρ, where ρ stands for the density) and damping coefficient (tanδ_L) were measured. GA dependence was analysed by a mechanical model which allowed to identify the specific Young’s modulus (E′₃/ρ) and shear modulus (G′/ρ) along the grain (3) as well as their corresponding damping coefficients (tanδ₃, tanδ_G). This analysis was done for native and then for extracted wood. Interlocked grain resulted in 0–25° GA and in variations of a factor 2 in E′_L/ρ and tanδ_L. Along the grain, Padauk wood was characterized, when compared to typical hardwoods, by a somewhat lower E′₃/ρ and elastic anisotropy (E′/G′), due to a wide microfibril angle plus a small weight effect of extracts, and a very low tanδ₃ and moderate damping anisotropy (tanδ_G/tanδ₃). Extraction affected mechanical parameters in the order: tanδ₃ ≈ tanδ_G > G′/ρ > > E′₃/ρ. That is, extractives’ effects were nearly isotropic on damping but clearly anisotropic on storage moduli.     

Radial variations of vibrational properties of three tropical woods

The radial trends of vibrational properties, represented by the specific dynamic modulus (E′/ρ) and damping coefficient (tan δ), were investigated for three tropical rainforest hardwood species (Simarouba amara, Carapa procera, and Symphonia globulifera) using free-free flexural vibration tests. The microfibril angle (MFA) was estimated using X-ray diffraction. Consistent patterns of radial variations were observed for all studied properties. E′/ρ was found to decrease from pith to bark, which was strongly related to the increasing pith-bark trend of MFA. The variation of tan δ along the radius could be partly explained by MFA and partly by the gradient of extractives due to heartwood formation. The coupling effect of MFA and extractives could be separated through analysis of the log(tan δ) versus log(E′/ρ) diagram. For the species studied, the extractive content putatively associated with heartwood formation generally tends to decrease the wood damping coefficient. However, this weakening effect of extractives was not observed for the inner part of the heartwood, suggesting that the mechanical action of extractives was reduced during their chemical ageing.     

Anisotropy of wood vibrational properties: dependence on grain angle and review of literature data

The anisotropy of vibrational properties influences the acoustic behaviour of wooden pieces and their dependence on grain angle (GA). As most pieces of wood include some GA, either for technological reasons or due to grain deviations inside trunks, predicting its repercussions would be useful. This paper aims at evaluating the variability in the anisotropy of wood vibrational properties and analysing resulting trends as a function of orientation. GA dependence is described by a model based on transformation formulas applied to complex compliances, and literature data on anisotropic vibrational properties are reviewed. Ranges of variability, as well as representative sets of viscoelastic anisotropic parameters, are defined for mean hardwoods and softwoods and for contrasted wood types. GA-dependence calculations are in close agreement with published experimental results and allow comparing the sensitivity of different woods to GA. Calculated trends in damping coefficient (tanδ) and in specific modulus of elasticity (E′/ρ) allow reconstructing the general tanδ-E′/ρ statistical relationships previously reported. Trends for woods with different mechanical parameters merge into a single curve if anisotropic ratios (both elastic and of damping) are correlated between them, and with axial properties, as is indicated by the collected data. On the other hand, varying damping coefficient independently results in parallel curves, which coincide with observations on chemically modified woods, either “artificially”, or by natural extractives.     

Effect of extractives on vibrational properties of African Padauk (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarpus soyauxii</Emphasis> Taub.)

Extractives can affect the vibrational properties tanδ (damping coefficient) and E′/ρ (specific Young’s modulus), but this is highly dependent on species, compounds, and cellular locations. This paper investigates such effects for African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a tropical hardwood with high extractives content and a preferred material for xylophones. Five groups of 26 heartwood specimens with large, yet comparable, ranges in vibrational properties were extracted in different solvents. Changes in vibrational properties were set against yields of extracts and evaluation of their cellular location. Methanol (ME) reached most of the compounds (13%), located about half in lumen and half in cell-wall. Water solubility was extremely low. tanδ and E′/ρ were very strongly related (R ² ≥ 0.93), but native wood had abnormally low values of tanδ, while extraction shifted this relation towards higher tanδ values. ME extracted heartwood became in agreement with the average of many species, and close to sapwood. Extractions increased tanδ as much as 60%, irrespective of minute moisture changes or initial properties. Apparent E′/ρ was barely changed (+2% to −4%) but, after correcting the mass contribution of extracts, it was in fact slightly reduced (down to −10% for high E′/ρ), and increasingly so for specimens with low initial values of E′/ρ.     

Dynamic viscoelastic properties of wood acetylated with acetic anhydride solution of glucose pentaacetate

 Spruce wood specimens were acetylated with acetic anhydride (AA) solutions of glucose pentaacetate (GPA), and their viscoelastic properties along the radial direction were compared to those of the untreated and the normally acetylated specimens at various relative humidities and temperatures. Higher concentrations of the GPA/AA solution resulted in more swelling of wood when GPA was introducted into the wood cell wall. At room temperature the dynamic Young's modulus (E′) of the acetylated wood was enhanced by 10% with the introduction of GPA, whereas its mechanical loss tangent (tan δ) remained almost unchanged. These changes were interpreted to be an antiplasticizing effect of the bulky GPA molecules in the wood cell wall. On heating in the absence of moisture, the GPA-acetylated wood exhibited a marked drop in E′ and a clear tan δ peak above 150°C, whereas the E′ and tan δ of the untreated wood were relatively stable up to 200°C. The tan δ peak of the GPA-acetylated wood shifted to lower temperatures with increasing GPA content, and there was no tan δ peak due to the melting of GPA itself. Thus the marked thermal softening of the GPA-acetylated wood was attributed to the softening of wood components plasticized with GPA. Received: March 29, 2002 / Accepted: May 21, 2002 Correspondence to:E. Obataya     

Working mechanism of adsorbed water on the vibrational properties of wood impregnated with extractives of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng.)

To clarify the lowering mechanism of loss tangen (tan) of sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) wood impregnated with extractives of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng. synCaesalpinia echinata Lam.), we examined the vibrational properties of the impregnated wood in relation to the adsorbed water. The results obtained were as follows: (1) The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of impregnated sitka spruce decreased to some extent compared with untreated wood. (2) Frequency dependencies of tan a about 400–8000Hz showed that impregnated wood has much lower tan than untreated wood at around 9% mois ture content (MC), except for the high-frequency region. At high relative humidity, impregnated wood has a minimum tan (at around 4000Hz); and at other frequency ranges the tan of impregnated wood did not differ considerably from that of untreated wood. (3) The apparent activation energy of the mechanical relaxation process (E) concerned with adsorbed water molecules was higher for impregnated specimens than for untreated ones at moderately high relative humidity, whereas at high relative humidity the difference was not observed. Based on these results, it is thought that the tan of impregnated wood decreased at low rela tive humidity because of the formation of direct hydrogen bonds between impregnated extractives and wood components. However, when the specimen is at higher relativePart of this work was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998 humidity, the formation of direct hydrogen bonds are disturbed by the existence of a large number of water molecules, and some extractives act as a plasticizer.     

Influence of heating and drying history on micropores in dry wood

To investigate the influence of heating and drying history on the microstructure of dry wood, in addition to the dynamic viscoelastic properties, CO₂ adsorption onto dry wood at ice.water temperature (273 K) was measured, and the micropore size distribution was obtained using the Horvath-Kawazoe (HK) method. Micropores smaller than 0.6 nm exist in the microstructures of dry wood, and they decreased with elevating out-gassing temperature and increased again after rewetting and drying. Dry wood subjected to higher temperatures showed larger dynamic elastic modulus (E′) and smaller loss modulus (E″). This is interpreted as the result of the modification at higher temperature of the instability caused by drying. Drying history influenced the number of micropores smaller than 0.6 nm in dry wood not subjected to high temperature, although the difference in the number of micropores resulting from the drying history decreased with increasing out-gassing temperature. A larger number of micropores smaller than 0.6 nm exist in the microstructure of dry wood in more unstable states, corresponding to smaller E′ and larger E″ than in the stable state. Consequently, unstable states are considered to result from the existence of temporary micropores in the microstructures of dry wood, probably in lignin. Part of this report was presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, March 2005, and at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Akita, August 2006     

Comparative study on three dynamic modulus of elasticity and static modulus of elasticity for Lodgepole pine lumber

The dynamic and static modulus of elasticity （MOE） between bluestained and non-bluestained lumber of Lodgepole pine were tested and analyzed by using three methods of Non-destructive testing （NDT）, Portable Ultrasonic Non-destructive Digital Indicating Testing （Pundit）, Metriguard and Fast Fourier Transform （FFT） and the normal bending method. Results showed that the dynamic and static MOE of bluestained wood were higher than those of non-bluestained wood. The significant differences in dynamic MOE and static MOE were found between bulestained and non-bluestained wood, of which, the difference in each of three dynamic MOE （Ep. the ultrasonic wave modulus of elasticity, Ems, the stress wave modulus of elasticity and El, the longitudinal wave modulus of elasticity） between bulestained and non-bluestained wood arrived at the 0.01 significance level, whereas that in the static MOE at the 0.05 significance level. The differences in MOE between bulestained and non-bluestained wood were induced by the variation between sapwood and heartwood and the different densities of bulestained and non-bluestained wood. The correlation between dynamic MOE and static MOE was statistically significant at the 0.01 significance level. Although the dynamic MOE values of Ep, Em, Er were significantly different, there exists a close relationship between them （arriving at the 0.01 correlation level）. Comparative analysis among the three techniques indicated that the accurateness of FFT was higher than that of Pundit and Metriguard. Effect of tree knots on MOE was also investigated. Result showed that the dynamic and static MOE gradually decreased with the increase of knot number, indicating that knot number had significant effect on MOE value.     

Influence of moisture content on the vibrational properties of hematoxylin-impregnated wood

The vibrational property of hematoxylinimpregnated wood was investigated from the aspect of moisture content dependence. The specific dynamic Young's modulus (E/) and loss tangent (tan) of hematoxylin-impregnated wood were determined in the relative humidity (RH) range of 0%–97%, and were compared with those of the untreated and some conventional chemically treated woods. The changes in theE/ and tan of wood with increasing RH were suppressed by acetylation and formaldehyde treatment because of a marked reduction in the hygroscopicity of the wood. Although the hematoxylin impregnation did not significantly affect the hygroscopicity of the wood, its influence onE/ and tan were similar to that of formaldehyde treatment at low RH and of acetylation at medium RH. It was supposed that at low to medium RH hematoxylin restrains the molecular motion of amorphous substances in the cell wall because of its bulkiness and rigidity. On the other hand, at high RH it seems to work as a plasticizer with adsorbed water molecules.     

Determination of Young’s and shear moduli of common yew and Norway spruce by means of ultrasonic waves

Despite the exceptional position of yew among the gymnosperms concerning its elastomechanical properties, no reference values for its elastic constants apart from the longitudinal Young’s modulus have been available from literature so far. Hence, this study’s objective was to determine the Young’s moduli E _L, E _R and E _T and the shear moduli G _LR, G _LT and G _RT of yew wood. For that purpose, we measured the ultrasound velocities of longitudinal and transversal waves applied to small cubic specimens and derived the elastic constants from the results. The tests were carried out at varying wood moisture contents and were applied to spruce specimens as well in order to put the results into perspective. Results indicate that E _L is in the same order of magnitude for both species, which means that a high-density wood species like yew does not inevitably have to have a high longitudinal Young’s modulus. For the transverse Young’s moduli of yew, however, we obtained 1.5–2 times, for the shear moduli even 3–6 times higher values compared to spruce. The variation of moisture content primarily revealed differences between both species concerning the shear modulus of the RT plane. We concluded that anatomical features such as the microfibril angle, the high ray percentage and presumably the large amount of extractives must fulfil important functions for the extraordinary elastomechanical behaviour of yew wood which still has to be investigated in subsequent micromechanical studies.     

Vibrational property changes of spruce wood by impregnation with watersoluble extractives of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng.) II: structural analysis of extractive components

Heartwood of pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng, synCaesalpinia echinata Lam.), which has been used as material for violin bows, was extracted by soaking in water, and the obtained extractives were analyzed. The main components of the extractives were identified to be protosappanin B and brazilin. In particular, protosappanin B occupied about 40% of the pernambuco extractives. The loss tangent (tan) of spruce wood impregnated with protosappanin B decreased markedly, the same as that of specimens impregnated with extractives before being purified. It is expected that protosappanin B can make a contribution to the decrease in tan due to impregnation with extractives.Part of this work was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998; and the 49th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Suitability of acetylated woods for clarinet reed

The density (), dynamic Young's modulus (E), loss tangent (tan_L) in the longitudinal (L) direction, and the dynamic shear modulus (G), loss tangent (tan_S) in the LT or LR (T, tangential; R, radial) plane of woods and cane (Arundo donax L.) in air-dried and wet conditions were measured. The acoustic converting efficiency (ACE), expressed by E/³/tan_L, and the factors of anisotropy, expressed byE/G and tan_S/tan_L, of woods were compared with those of the canes. Low-density coniferous woods had higher ACE values and were of a more anisotropic nature than the cane. These woods seemed appropriate for clarinet reed owing to their homogeneous cellular structure. The stability in vibrational properties and the anticreep properties of the woods were enhanced by the acetylation treatment. Professional clarinet players suggested that acetylated Glehn's spruce and sitka spruce were suitable for clarinet reeds.Part of this report was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Shizuoka, April 1998     

Colour responses of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to solvent extraction and heat treatment

The colour parameters (CIE L*a*b*) of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) wood meals extracted with seven solvents and heated under saturate vapour at 120°C are measured and the UV–vis spectrum analysis of dioxane extractives is performed to investigate the influence of extraction and thermal treatment on wood discolouration. The results show that extractions with polar solvents such as water, ethanol and dioxane can cause substantial decrease of b* but have little effect on a* and that extractions with less or non-polar solvents such as chloroform, ether and hexane can hardly influence both a* and b*. Extractions with ethanol and dioxane can also increase the optical reflection (L*) and arise a higher ΔE change than that with less or non-polar solvents. Heat treatment has much more influence on colour parameters than extractions do. After heat treatment, the lightness index of all the samples declines but a* value increases. The discolouration during thermal treatment is mainly due to the existence of polar extractives. Tannins, flavonoids and hydroxyanthraquinones are found in the dioxane extractives. The heated dioxane extractives have an obvious absorption between 400 and 600 nm. The condensation of the tannin molecules and the oxidation of the hydroxyl groups in flavonol molecules make up the potential reason of the formation of new colour substances during heat treatment. The elimination of the dioxane extractives can effectively reduce the extent of thermally induced discolouration.     

Measurement of the dynamic modulus of elasticity of wood panels

This study investigated the dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE) of wood panels of Fraxinus mandshurica, Pinus koraiensis, and Juglans mandshurica using the natural frequency measurement system of fast Fourier transform (FFT). The results were compared with the static modulus of elasticity (E _S) tested by a mechanical test machine. The results show a significant correlation between E _S, transverse vibration DMOE (E _F), and longitudinal vibration DMOE (E _L). For all of these species, the correlation between E _S, E _F and E _L is more significant than the individual species, which indicated that the FFT method is universal. The correlations between E _S and sample’s density (ρ) are significant, but the correlation coefficient of E _S and ρ is lower than those between E _F, E _L and E _S. The E _S of wood is more accurately tested by the analysis based on FFT measurement than by the estimation based on density. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(6): 126–131 [译自: 林业科学, 2005, 41(6): 126–131]     

Mechanical properties of wood in an unstable state due to temperature changes,and analysis of the relevant mechanism VI: dielectric relaxation of quenched wood

To analyze the effects of lignin on the destabilization of wood due to quenching, we examined the dielectric properties of untreated and delignified wood before and after quenching at 20°C from 50 Hz to 100 MHz. For untreated wood, the inflection points of log ε′ and log σ vs log f and the peak of log(tan δ) vs log f were attributed to interfacial polarization before quenching, and the location of the inflection point shifted to a higher frequency with increasing moisture content because of changes in the water cluster. After quenching, the inflection points of log ε′ and log σ and the peak of log(tan δ ) shifted to higher frequency; however, the values of log ε′, log σ recovered to those before quenching with the passage of time. For delignified wood, dielectric relaxation was observed at a higher frequency than for untreated wood irrespective of quenching. It was inferred that the mobility of water molecules was influenced by the cluster surroundings because of increased number of adsorption sites in hemicellulose. Moreover, after quenching, the recovery process did not change greatly over time; it was shown that the matrix structure was affected more by quenching with the loss of lignin.     

Discolouration of birch wood: analysis of extractives from discoloured surface of vacuum-dried European white birch (Betula pubescens) board

A discolouration that appeared on the surfaces of a European white birch (Betula pubescens) board during vacuum drying was studied by means of colour measurements (CIEL*a*b*), elemental analysis and the analysis of extractives. The discoloured surface layer of the dried board contained substantially more methanol-soluble extractives than did the light-coloured part (50.7 mg g⁻¹ vs. 26.7 mg g⁻¹ dry wood), and the colour difference (ΔE* _ab 20.0) between the two extracts was notable. Characterization by means of GC and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy showed that the extracts contain sugars (mainly glucose and fructose), low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds, proanthocyanidins, Brauns’ lignin and fatty acid esters. Concentrations of sugars, low-molecular-weight phenols, proanthocyanidins and Brauns’ lignin were higher in the discoloured surface layer than in the light-coloured part. The yellowness of the surface layer was associated with the accumulation of low-molecular-weight phenolic extractives, and the redness with Brauns’ lignin and possibly proanthocyanidins.     

Dynamic viscoelastic behavior of wood under drying conditions

In this study heartwood from a Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] plantation was treated using a high-temperature drying (HTD) method at 115°C, a low-temperature drying (LTD) method at 65°C, and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), respectively. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dried wood specimens were investigated. The measurements were carried out at a temperature range of −120 to 250°C at four different frequencies (1, 2, 5, and 10 Hz) using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). We have drawn the following conclusions: 1) the storage modulus E′ and loss modulus E″ are the highest for HTD wood and the lowest for FVD wood; 2) three relaxation processes were detected in HTD and LTD wood, attributed to the micro-Brownian motion of cell wall polymers in the non-crystalline region, the oscillations of the torso of cell wall polymers, and the motions of the methyl groups of cell wall polymers in the non-crystalline region in a decreasing order of temperatures at which they occurred; and 3) in FVD wood, four relaxation processes were observed. A newly added relaxation is attributed to the micro-Brownian motions of lignin molecules. This study suggests that both the HTD and the LTD methods restrict the micro-Brownian motion of lignin molecules somewhat by the cross-linking of chains due to their heating history. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2008, 30(3): 96–100 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Effects of high temperature kiln drying on the practical performances of Japanese cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) II: Changes in mechanical properties due to heating

Japanese cedar wood specimens were steamed at 80°, 100°, and 120°C over 14 days, and their equilibrium moisture content (M) at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, longitudinal dynamic Young’s modulus (E), bending strength (σ _max), and breaking strain (ε _max) were compared with those of unheated specimens. Steaming for a longer duration at a higher temperature resulted in a greater reduction in M, σ _max, and ε _max. The E of wood was slightly enhanced by steaming at 100°C for 1–4 days and 120°C for 1–2 days, and thereafter it decreased. The slight increase in the E of sapwood was attributable to the reduction in hygroscopicity, while sufficient explanation was not given for a greater increase in the heartwood stiffness. Irrespective of the steaming temperature, the correlations between M and the mechanical properties of steamed wood were expressed in terms of simple curves. M values above 8% indicated a slight reduction in E and s max, whereas M values below 8% indicated a marked decrease in the mechanical performances. In addition, the e max decreased almost linearly with a decrease in the value of M. These results suggest that hygroscopicity measurement enables the evaluation of degradation in the mechanical performances of wood caused by steaming at high temperatures.     

Mechanical properties assessment of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation wood with three acoustic-based nondestructive methods

The objectives of this study were to establish the method of evaluating wood mechanical properties by acoustic nondestructive testing at standing trees and at logs of a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantation, and to compare three acoustic nondestructive methods for evaluating the static bending modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and compressive strength parallel-to-grain (σ_c) of plantation wood as well. Fifteen Chinese fir plantation trees at 36 years of age were selected. Each tree was cut into four logs, for which three values of dynamic modulus of elasticity, i.e., E _sw, of the north and south face based on stress waves to assume the measuring state of the standing tree, E _fr, longitudinal vibration, and E _us, ultrasonic wave, were measured in the green condition. After log measurements, small specimens were cut and air-dried to 12% moisture content (MC). Static bending tests were then performed to determine the bending MOE and MOR, and compressive tests parallel-to-grain were made to determine σ_c. The bending MOE of small clear specimens was about 7.1% and 15.4% less than E _sw and E _us, respectively, and 11.3% greater than E _fr. The differences between the bending MOE and dynamic MOE of logs as determined by the three acoustic methods were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Good correlation (R = 0.77, 0.57, and 0.45) between E _sw, E _fr, and E _us and static MOE, respectively, were obtained (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that longitudinal vibration may be the most precise and reliable technique to evaluate the mechanical properties of logs among these three acoustic nondestructive methods. Moreover, the results indicate that stress wave technology would be effective to evaluate wood mechanical properties both from logs and from the standing tree.