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.     

Preliminary study of viscoelastic properties of MAPP-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Viscoelastic properties of maleated polypropylene (MAPP)-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites (WPC) were investigated by both a compression stress relaxation method and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA). Three wood to polymer ratios (40:60, 60:40, and 80:20) and five MAPP loading levels (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%) were used to study their effects on the viscoelastic properties of MAPP-WPC. The results show that: 1) higher wood to polymer ratio corresponds to higher stress relaxation levels for unmodified WPC. The modification with MAPP has an obvious effect on the stress relaxation of MAPP-WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios (60:40 and 80:20), but almost no effect at the 40:60 wood to polymer ratio. The optimal MAPP loading level for the wood to polymer ratio of 60:40 appears at 1%; 2) the storage modulus reaches its maximum at a MAPP loading level of 1% for wood to polymer ratios of 40:60 and 60:40, while for the 80:20 wood to polymer ratio, a higher storage modulus is observed at higher MAPP loading levels, which is quite consistent with the stress relaxation results. The results suggested that a suitable loading level of MAPP has a positive effect on the viscoelastic properties of WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios. Excessive MAPP loading would have resulted in adverse effects.     

Effects of high temperature kiln drying on the practical performances of Japanese cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) I: changes in hygroscopicity due to heating

The effect of heating on the hygroscopicity of Japanese cedar wood was investigated as a simple evaluation of thermal degradation in large-dimension timber being kiln-dried at high temperatures (>100°C). Small wood pieces were heated at 120°C in the absence of moisture (dry heating) and steamed at 60°, 90°, and 120°C with saturated water vapor over 2 weeks, and their equilibrium moisture contents (M) at 20°C and 60% relative humidity (RH) were compared with those of unheated samples. No significant change was induced by steaming at 60°C, while heating above 90°C caused loss in weight (WL) and reduction in M of wood. The effects of steaming were greater than those of dry heating at the same heating temperature. After extraction in water, the steamed wood showed additional WL and slight increase in M because of the loss of water-soluble decomposition residue. The M of heated wood decreased with increasing WL, and such a correlation became clearer after the extraction in water. On the basis of experimental correlation, the WL of local parts in large-dimension kiln-dried timber was evaluated from their M values. The results indicated that the thermal degradation of inner parts was greater than that of outer parts.     

Real-time measurement of vibrational properties and fine structural properties of wood at high temperature

Vibrational properties and fine structural properties of wood were measured at high temperatures. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) and Shioji (Japanese ash, Fraxinus spaethiana Lingelsh.) were used as specimens. The specimens, the system to support them, a magnetic driver, and a deflection sensor were in an electric drying oven, where vibration tests were conducted. The heating temperatures ranged from room temperature to 200 °C in 25 °C increments in both heating and cooling processes. X-ray diffractometry was carried out using positive sensitive proportional counter (PSPC) at room temperature to 200 °C in 20 °C increments in both heating and cooling processes. Received 13 December 1999     

Stress relaxation of wood during elevating and lowering processes of temperature and the set after relaxation II: consideration of the mechanism and simulation of stress relaxation behavior using a viscoelastic model

Previously we showed that the relaxation modulusEt of water-saturated wood during temperature reduction maintained its initial value despite the decrease in temperature, although during temperature elevationEt showed a marked decrease. In the present study, to clarify the mechanism of relaxation during temperature elevation and reduction, Young's modulus was measured in stress relaxation experiments with changes in temperature, and relaxation behavior was simulated using a Maxwell model consisting of five elements. Furthermore, the dynamic Young's modulus and dynamic loss modulus were measured during both temperature elevation and reduction. The results obtained suggested that the unique relaxation behavior during temperature reduction was caused by decreases in Young's modulus and coefficient of viscosity (i.e., an increase in fluidity) compared with those during elevation of temperature. The decrease in Young's modulus and increase in fluidity were considered to be due to an unstable structure in wood that occurred during temperature reduction. This unstable structure probably develops in the nonequilibrium state of temperature toward a true equilibrium state. Wood should be more unstable during temperature reduction than during temperature elevation because of the decrease in molecular motion when the temperature is lowered.Part of this report was presented at the 49th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

浙江桂幼龄材的生长特性及主要材性

以3株6年生浙江桂幼龄材为试材,研究了其生物量、材积、基本物理力学性能及生长轮的宽度、纤维长度、宽度、微纤丝角和结晶度的径向变异规律。结果表明,浙江桂幼龄材单株平均总生物量27.93 kg,平均材积0.0124 m3,生长轮平均宽度9.15 mm（3.12~10.57 mm）,基本密度为0.414 g/ cm3,除髓心外其余各生长轮宽度和密度无明显差异,反映浙江桂生长较为稳定;顺纹抗压强度、抗弯强度和弹性模量等物理力学综合性能中上等;纤维长度为830.6μm（581~1043μm）,纤维宽度为23.6μm（21~24μm）,结晶度为38.46％~58.43％,微纤丝角为13.6°~24.6°;纤维长度、宽度和结晶度自髓心向外逐渐增加,微纤丝角自髓心向外逐渐减小,结晶度与纤维长度、宽度间相关性极显著。     

Influence of histories on dynamic viscoelastic properties and dimensions of water-swollen wood

The influences of heating history, cooling method, and cooling set on microstructures and the mechanical properties of water-swollen wood were studied by measuring viscoelastic properties and dimensional changes while elevating temperatures between 20°C and 90°C. Both the viscoelastic properties and dimensional changes of waterswollen wood in the first heating process were quite different from those in the other heating processes. The results revealed that the molecular state of green wood around room temperature was stabilized and could not return to this state if drying or heating was carried out. Cooling methods greatly affected the viscoelastic properties, while they hardly affected dimensional changes when the temperature was elevated. Localized stress in the microstructures of water-swollen wood produced by quenching affected the mechanical properties in the heating process, while external stress less than the proportional limit caused by a cooling set had no effect. This revealed that much greater localized stress linked to the instability of waterswollen wood than the external stress in relation to the cooling set occurred. Part of this report was presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Fukuoka, March 2003     

Radial variation of wood properties in Neolamarckia cadamba trees from an East Java community forest

Radial variations in wood properties, cell morphologies and cell proportions were investigated for nine 4-year-old Neolamarckia cadamba trees planted in a community forest in East Java, Indonesia. The relationships between stem diameter and wood properties, cell morphologies or cell proportions were determined to ascertain the effects of stem diameter on these properties. In the radial variations, almost all of the wood properties, cell morphol- ogies and cell proportion in N. cadamba were changed at around 4 to 6 cm distance from the pith, except for fibre diameter, and the proportion of fibre and axial parenchyma. For trees with larger stem diameter, the vessel diameter was also found to increase. In addition, the ray parenchyma and cell wall proportions in trees with larger stem diameter were lower than those in trees with smaller stem diameter. However, the wood properties obtained from the larger stem diameter trees did not always show lower values. The wood properties in N. cadamba were correlated to fibre wall thickness and vessel diameter.     

Influence of heating history on dynamic viscoelastic properties and dimensions of dry wood

To obtain new information about the mechanical and physical properties of dry wood in unstable states, the influence of heating history on viscoelastic properties and dimensional changes of dry wood in the radial, tangential, and longitudinal directions was studied between 100° and 200°C. Unstable states of dry wood still existed after heating at 105°C for 30 min and were modified by activated molecular motion in the first heating process to temperatures above 105°C. This phenomenon is thought to be caused by the unstable states reappearing after wetting and drying again. Dry wood components did not completely approach the stable state in the temperature range tested, because they did not entirely surpass the glass transition temperatures in most of the temperature range. In constant temperature processes at 135° and 165°C, E′ increased and E″ decreased with time regardless of the direction. This indicated that the unstable states of dry wood components were gradually modified with time at constant temperatures. On the other hand, anisotropy of dimensional change existed and dimension increased in the longitudinal direction, was unchanged in the radial direction, and decreased in the tangential direction with time at constant temperatures. Part of this report was presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Chubu Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, August 2003     

Psychometric charts for use with normal and high temperature drying of wood

Kiln drying of timber sometimes makes use of air at well above 100 °C and at very high humidities. The psychometric charts of Carrier and Mollier do not normally accommodate such air states and so they are not useful. Charts are given herein which use the axes ln r and ln p_s where r is the relative humidity and p_s is the pressure of water vapour at saturation. Such charts accommodate the above conditions without difficulty and fit tidily onto a rectangular sheet. The values of p_s are not shown but they are expressed as a function of dry-bulb temperature, which is shown on the charts. Charts are given for normal and high temperature ranges, and to display different properties we have chosen to use separate charts rather than to fit too much information on a single chart. Received 8 May 2000     

Durability of isocyanate resin adhesives for wood IV: degradation under constant steam heating

The durability of isocyanate resins consisting of emulsion-type polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (EMDI) was investigated under constant steam heating. Two kinds of resin, water only-added resin and polyol/water-added resin, were used in this study. The degradation of the resins under steam heating was observed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), weight changes, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FT-IR analysis showed that the degradation reaction of the resins scarcely proceeded for a few hours and then increased significantly. The weights of the resins decreased linearly during steam heating. The thermal stability of steam-treated resins was made clear by TGA. The bond strength reductions of the specimens bonded with the resins were also observed. The best fitting regression function for the behavior of bond strength reduction was determined statistically. The apparent activation energy of each resin was calculated from the regression function, for the half-life period. Considering the calculated values, the adhesion durability of using polyol-added resin was superior to that of using water only-added resin. It was clarified that the durability of the isocyanate resins under steam heating was markedly inferior to that under dry heating.Part of this paper was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, 2000     

Evaluation of non-destructive methods of measuring growth stress in Eucalyptus globulus: relationships between strain, wood properties and stress

High levels of growth stress are implicated in causing end splitting of logs, deflection during sawing and deformation of boards as stresses are released during sawing operations. Level of stress is a function of strain and the elastic modulus of the wood (MOE). Levels of peripheral strain can be measured on standing trees and, if the MOE is known, stresses can be estimated. The validity of using peripheral strain measurements relies on underlying theoretical models that relate strain to expected patterns of stress distribution and levels of board deflection. This study evaluates these theoretical relationships by determining relationships of stress and strain with board deflection, end splitting and a range of wood properties.

Peripheral strain levels were extremely variable within the bottom log and little evidence was found for consistent patterns of variation, although measurements generally increased with increasing height above ground. Sampling on two sides of the standing tree at breast height appeared to be a suitable strategy, with the mean for these strain readings having a correlation (r) of 0.86 with the average strain in the bottom log.

Growth strain was not a reliable predictor of board deflection and cannot be recommended as a non-destructive sampling method. Overall there was a poor relationship between growth strain and board deflection. No consistent relationships were found between a range of wood properties and growth strain or board deflection across both sites. Stress levels were calculated for each tree as the product of growth strain and modulus of elasticity and the relationship between calculated stress and mean board deflection determined. No relationship was found at either site with correlations being very close to zero.

The underlying theoretical relationships between stress and strain were examined and several questions raised about the validity of such models.     

Viscoelastic properties of wood from Chinese-fir and poplar plantations

Elastic and strength properties(proportional-limit stress(σ prop ),Young's modulus(E),breaking stress(σ max )in static bending parallel to grain in a longitudinal direction),as well as stress relaxation in air-dried condition and water-saturated conditions at seven different constant temperatures and increasing and decreasing temperatures were investigated for wood from Chinese-fir and poplar plantations.The results show that hygrothermal conditions considerably affect these mechanical properties.The higher the moisture content(MC)or temperature,the lower the strength of wood.Further investigation of the effects of constant temperature on stress relaxation indicates that high temperature specimens have low relaxation moduli and high fluidity.In the case of increasing temperature the range of the modulus of relaxation is larger than in the case of a reduction in temperature,while the residual moduli do not show large differences.This is because the modulus at high temperatures decreases more than that at low temperatures.The fluidity of specimens in a state of water desorption increases slowly at the beginning,increases quickly until the MC reaches an equilibrium moisture content(EMC)and then becomes stable,which is quite different from that in a water-saturated state.Fluidity in a desorption state is much higher than in a water-saturated state.This is probably due to the fact that the former is in an unstable state which can be interpreted as a state with internal strain and has therefore a greater potential to release strain.     

木材无损检测技术的研究现状与进展

本介绍了木材无损检测技术的主要方法和基本原理,以及不同木材特性的无损检测技术,阐述了几个主要检测技术如超声波,射线,微波等的研究现状及存在的问题,在此基础上,提出木材无损检测技术的发展趋势。     

木纤维PP/PE共混物复合材料的流变和力学性能(英文)

For evaluation of the rheological and mechanical properties of highly filled wood plastic composites （WPCs）, polypropylene/polyethylene （PP/PE） blends were grafted with maleic anhydride （MAH） to enhance the interfacial adhesion between wood fiber and matrix. WPCs were prepared from wood fiber up to 60 wt.% and modified PP/PE was blended by extrusion. The rheological properties were studied by using dynamic measurement. According to the strain sweep test, the linear viscoelastic region of composites in the melt was determined. The result showed that the storage modulus was independent of the strain at low strain region （〈0.1%）. The frequency sweep resuits indicated that all composites exhibited shear thinning behavior, and both the storage modulus and complex viscosity of MAH modified composites were decreased comparing to those unmodified. Flexural properties and impact strength of the prepared WPCs were measured according to the relevant standard specifications. The flexural and impact strength of the manufactured composites significantly increased and reached a maximum when MAH dosage was 1.0 wt%, whereas the flexural modulus after an initial decreased, also increased with MAH dosage. The increase in mechanical properties indicated that the presence of anhydride groups enhanced the interracial adhesion between wood fiber and PP/PE blends.     

Freezing pattern and frost killing temperature of apple (Malus domestica) wood under controlled conditions and in nature

The freezing pattern and frost killing temperatures of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) xylem were determined by differential thermal analysis and infrared differential thermal analysis (IDTA). Results from detached or attached twigs in controlled freezing experiments and during natural field freezing of trees were compared. Non-lethal freezing of apoplastic water in apple xylem as monitored during natural winter frosts in the field occurred at -1.9?±?0.4 °C and did not change seasonally. The pattern of whole tree freezing was variable and specific to the environmental conditions. On detached twigs high-temperature freezing exotherms (HTEs) occurred 2.8 K below the temperature observed under natural frosts in the field with a seasonal mean of -4.7?±?0.5 °C. Microporous apple xylem showed freezing without a specific pattern within a few seconds in IDTA images during HTEs, which is in contrast to macroporous xylem where a 2D freezing pattern mirrors anatomical structures. The pith tissue always remained unfrozen. Increasing twig length increased ice nucleation temperature; for increased twig diameter the effect was not significant. In attached twigs frozen in field portable freezing chambers, HTEs were recorded at a similar mean temperature (-4.6?±?1.0 °C) to those for detached twigs. Upon lethal intracellular freezing of apple xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) low-temperature freezing exotherms (LTEs) can be recorded. Low-temperature freezing exotherms determined on detached twigs varied significantly between a winter minimum of -36.9 °C and a summer maximum -12.7 °C. Within the temperature range wherein LTEs were recorded by IDTA in summer (-12.7?±?0.5 to -20.3?±?1.1 °C) various tiny clearly separated discontinuous freezing events could be detected similar to that in other species with contrasting XPC anatomy. These freezing events appeared to be initially located in the primary and only later in the secondary xylem. During the LTE no freezing events in the bark and central pith tissue were recorded. Attached twigs were exposed to various freezing temperatures at which LTEs occur. Even if 60% of XPCs were frost-damaged twigs were able to recuperate and showed full re-growth indicating a high regeneration capacity even after severe frost damage to XPCs.     

Effects of physical properties of wood on the water activity of wood meal media for the cultivation of edible mushrooms

The effects of physical properties of wood, including specific gravity, porosity, and water retention, on the water activity (a _w) of wood meal media for the cultivation of edible mushrooms were examined. Five species of wood, selected from an initial set of 11 species, and six species of fungi popularly cultivated in Japan were used. The water activity of each fungal species was measured using liquid media in which a _w had been reduced by adding NaCl, KCl, sucrose, or ethylene glycol. From the water activities of the media and fungi, we estimated the most suitable wood species for the cultivation of each edible mushroom in wood meal media. Suitable wood species for the wood meal cultivation of shiitake, nameko, and maitake, which had relatively high a _w, was limited to hardwoods like arakashi, konara, and irohakaede because of their higher water activities. Edible mushrooms with lower levels of a _w, like hiratake, enokitake, and bunashimeji, could be cultivated in all kinds of wood species used in this experiment, but especially in sugi.Parts of this report were presented at the 49th, 50th, 51st, and 52nd Annual Meetings of the Japan Wood Research Society, in Kyoto (April 2000), Tokyo (April 2001), Gifu (April 2002), and Fukuoka (March 2003), Japan     

高温热处理对桃花心木化学性质的影响

热处理是木材加工行业中常用的处理手段之一,可有效提升木材尺寸稳定性及具有防生物侵蚀能力,但在一定程度上也会降低木材的力学性能.热处理导致木材材性变化的根本原因是木材组分含量及其分子结构在热量作用下发生了变化.笔者探索了不同热处理温度下(150,165,180,195和210℃)桃花心木材的化学组分变化.结果表明:经热处...     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WOOD PROPERTIES BETWEENWHITE WOOD OF DAHURIAN LARCH AND MONGOLIANSCOTCH PINE

DahurianlarchandMongolianscotchpinearetwomajorconunerciaIconilbroustTeesinDaxing'anlingForesnyArea.Itisob-viousthattbcwoodproPertiesandworkability'ofthetWoplantsarecompletelydifferent.Butlnrecert'years,ltlsfoundthattherearetwodiffer':nttypesinparameterofwood'scolour.phy'sicalandmechanicalproPertiesandwork-ability'inDahurianlarch,namelyredwoodandx"hite..od.l']Andthepropertiesofwhite`voodaresligl1tlyyellow-white,medianweightandhardness,goodinworkability'andLard-ness,goodinwodability'anduneas…