High temperature and chemical effects on wood stability

Summary A study was made of the rigidity and stability of wood in different growth rings taken from young radiata pine trees. The stability of dried wood to moisture changes was deduced from changes in the rigidity under constant torque after wetting. Stability increased with increasing temperature and time of drying, with increasing age of the sapwood and it varied according to the origin of the tree and between trees. Evidence indicated heartwood would be more readily dried to a stable form than sapwood.The authors thank Mr. R. M. Cowan and associates, Woods and Forests Department of South Australia, Mr. R. Cherry, Australian Forest Industries, Myrtleford, the Forests Commission Victoria for material and to Dr. P. U. A. Grossman for discussion     

幼龄材范围的确定及树木生长速率对幼龄材生长量的影响

本文以杉木、日本落叶松的人上林和天然林木材为对象，选择ｙ＝ａ＋ｂｌｎｘ回归模式。利用其管胞特征因子随年轮数的变化，研究划分幼龄材年轮界限的最适因子，并就生长速率对幼龄材生长量的影响进入了探讨。结果表明：杉木和日本落叶松的人工林及天然林木的管胞特征值在径向水平上的变化均遵循ｙ＝ａ＋ｂｌｎｘ模式，尤其管胞长度与年轮数回归的相关系数Ｒ均达０．９８以上；管胞长度与管胞宽度及纤丝用相比，遗传率最大，随年轮数变化的模式最稳定，是划分幼龄材界限的最佳因子，由此得出杉木人工林幼龄材界限年轮为２０－２２（距髓心距离为１２．９－１３．２ｃｍ）、天然林为１６－１８（４．１－４．５ｃｍ），日本落叶松人工林为１９－２３（８．７－１０．５ｃｍ）、天然林为２３－２４（２．９－３．１ｃｍ）；幼龄材生长量与树木生长速率成正比。     

Basic density,longitudinal shrinkage and tracheid length of juvenile wood of Picea abies (L.) Karst

Variation in the growth ring width, basic density, longitudinal shrinkage and tracheid length was investigated in the juvenile wood of Norway spruce samples taken from different heights in the stem. Annual height increments were cut from the ten youngest shoots from trees of three different heights. By this method the properties of an individual growth ring could be analysed without taking samples from each ring. Sixteen tree tops of an average stem height of 8, 15 and 25 m were analysed. Basic density was low in the first shoot, highest in the second or third one and decreased gradually thereafter. Longitudinal shrinkage was highest close to the pith and decreased to about 0.2% in the outer rings. Tracheids were only ca. 1 mm long close to the pith and their length increased sharply towards the tenth shoot. The properties of juvenile wood varied with the height in the stem. Longitudinal shrinkage around the pith seemed to increase with increasing height and basic density was highest at 25 m stem height. The applicability of the method for the calculation of basic density and tracheid length in individual growth rings close to the pith is discussed.     

A technique to identify annual growth rings in Eucalyptus grandis usingannual measurements of diameter at breast height and gamma raydensitometry

Many eucalypt species do not show distinct growth rings because cambial activity does not show a strong response to seasonal variation in climate. Eucalyptus grandis, one of the most important commercial hardwood species in South Africa, is one such example of a species that does not have well-defined growth rings. The light and dark bands visible on the cross-section of the wood of E. grandis do not always correspond with the growing season, which makes it difficult to resolve wood property data into annual increments. A method was developed to separate growth rings on wood density profiles of E. grandis into annual increments using bark-to-pith density profiles and annual measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH) from permanent sample plot (PSP) datasets. Using the PSP data, it was possible to assess the annual pattern of stem diameter growth at a compartment level by calculating the radial increment (RI) per year and expressing that value as a percentage of the radius at the end of the increment for that year. Mean radial increment percentage (%MRI) was calculated for each year and used to predict annual RI at an individual tree level. Predicted RI values for each tree were expressed as cumulative distances from the bark end and superimposed onto their respective density profiles. Predicted RI corresponded well with latewood density peaks and these separation points were considered a reliable guide to divide the density profile into annual increments closer to the bark end and into broader age classes closer to the pith. By assessing the pattern of variation in radial density within the context of the growth history of a compartment by means of annual PSP data, it was possible to confirm that growth rings on density profiles of E. grandis closer to the bark end can serve as a reliable representation of annual growth.     

Radial variation in partial compression properties perpendicular to the grain of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi)

This study investigated the densities, average width of annual rings, and partial compression stresses at 5 % strain perpendicular to the grain of air-dried wood specimens, which were continuous in the radial direction from the pith and were obtained from Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) trees with different diameters at breast height in the same stand, to evaluate the radial variations in partial compression properties perpendicular to the grain. The air-dried densities of the wood increased with the distance from the pith. The average width of annual rings of the wood tended to decrease with increasing distance from the pith and those of medium- and large-diameter trees seemed to increase near the pith. The partial compression stresses at 5 % strain in the tangential loading direction tended to increase with the distance from the pith and with air-dried wood density. However, in the radial loading direction, this tendency was not observed. The partial compression stresses at 5 % strain in the radial loading direction tended to be low in wood with a small average width of annual rings. These results indicate that the factors affecting the radial variations in the partial compression stress at 5 % strain differ depending on the loading directions.     

Variation Within Trees of Wood Anatomical Properties in Chinese-Fir Plantation and Their Relationship Modeling Equations

A comprehensive analysis on the variation pattern of early- and latewood tracheid morphological parameters along tree (Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.) height, including length and width, wall thickness, tissue proportion, cell wall percentage, width of growth rings, and on the relationship among them are conducted. The results indicate an initially rapid and then gentle increase of tracheid length and width, thickness of the radial wall and tangential wall of tracheid, area percentage of tracheid from pith to outward, while S2 microfibril angle (Mfa) of tracheid, and rays percentage gradually decrease and then tend to be stable. The variation of all anatomical parameters but earlywood cell wall thickness shows no significance along tree height. The radial variation pattern of width of growth rings is characterized with initially slight decrease followed immediately by a rapid and then much more gentle increase from pith to outward. The delimitation age between juvenile and mature wood is 14-16 years. Com     

VARIATION OF DENSITY IN THE WOOD OF PINUS PATULA GROWN IN KENYA

1. The specific gravity was determined for the individual ringsof twenty-three 13-year-old stems of Pinus patula grown in Kenyaand also separately on the early and late wood of six rings.
2. Significant correlations were found between specific gravityand both ring width and age ofthe ring from the pith. The effectof ring width was slight with more than six rings to the inch.
3. A comparison with Turnbull's data from South African treesofthe same species confirmed his results only in the firstninerings from the pith.
4. The mean specific gravity of theearly wood in five rings was0.368 compared with 0.469 forthelate wood. This high valuefor the early wood and the smalldifference between early andlate wood was due to the thicknessof the walls in the early-woodtracheids. Similar thickwalledearly-wood tracheids were observedin Kenya species of Juniperusand Podocarpus.

     

Weathering durability of CCB-impregnated wood for clear varnish coatings

Outdoor performances of a polyurethane varnish and an alkyd-based synthetic varnish coated over chromium-copper-boron (CCB)-impregnated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) [10 (R) × 100 (T) × 150 (L) mm] were investigated. These varnishes were also applied to the wood surface as sole coatings or impregnated into wood as water-repellent (WR) solutions. Outdoor exposure was performed in the Black Sea region of northern Turkey (41°N, 39.43°E) where humid weather predominates throughout the year and accelerates decomposition of coated wood surfaces. The wood panels were exposed at 45° south on their tangential surfaces. After 9 months of exposure to summer, autumn, and the following winter season, the color and glossiness changes of the exposed surface, adhesion of the coating layer to the wood surface, water absorption through the coating layers, mass loss, and the hardness of the board surface were studied. CCB impregnation greatly stabilized the surface color of varnish-coated panels of both wood species. Gradual decreases of adhesion between varnished layers and preimpregnated surfaces were attributed to probable weakening of interactions at the interface of the treated wood and the film layer. A superficial cleaning process of treated wood is suggested to improve glossiness and adhesion. The coated wood surface became harder with time on outdoor exposure until a maximum hardness occurred followed by softening, whereas the uncoated surface softened steadily. Polyurethane varnish yielded a harder surface than synthetic varnish. Mass losses of wood panels after 9 months of exposure were negligible for all treatments compared with the untreated controls, which were totally discolored and eroded on the surface. It is concluded that long-term exterior wood protection has been achieved by a successful combination of an appropriate preservative treatment followed by a compatible surface-coating process.     

Mechanical properties of wood swollen in organic liquids with two or more functional groups for hydrogen bonding in a molecule

The modulus of elasticity and the modulus of rupture during static bending in the radial direction, and the viscoelastic properties in the radial direction in the temperature range 20°–100°C of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) swollen in organic liquids with two or more functional groups in a molecule were compared with those of wood swollen by moisture. The wood swollen in organic liquids in or near the swelling equilibrium, but not that swollen in organic liquids distant from the swelling equilibrium, showed higher moduli of elasticity and rupture than the wood swollen to a similar degree by moisture. This suggests that wood exists in an unstable state as it approaches the swelling equilibrium, rendering it highly flexible and weak. During the first viscoelastic measurements for wood swollen in various organic liquids, thermal softening was observed in 40°–60°C range and above 80°C, though this softening disappeared during the second measurement. The softening observed in the 40°–60°C range and above 80°C was thought to have been caused by the redistribution of liquid toward the equilibrium state at a higher temperature and the swelling accompanying an elevated temperature, respectively.Part of this report was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Chemical composition of Loblolly pine wood as related to specific gravity,growth rate,and distance from pith

Summary The alpha-cellulose, hemicellulose, holocellulose, lignin, and extractive contents of wood removed from stems of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and factorially segregated by specific gravity, rings from the pith, and growth rate were determined from sample chips. The independent relationships of each factor with chemical composition are described.

---

Zusammenfassung Aus Probespänen von Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wurden die alpha-Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Holocellulose, Lignin und Extraktstoffe bestimmt und faktorenanalytisch gegen die Dichte, den Jahrringabstand vom Mark und die Wuchsgeschwindigkeit abgegrenzt. Die gereinigten Beziehungen jedes Faktors zur chemischen Zusammensetzung des Holzes werden beschrieben.In the research reported here, the chemical composition of a sample of loblolly pine wood was analyzed in relation to three readily measured gross wood characteristics: specific gravity, growth rate, and distance from the pith. As in a previous study relating fiber morphology to these three properties [McMillin, 1968], wood was removed from many stems and stratified by two densities and two growth rates at each of three radial positions in the stem. Thus, the factorial design permitted isolation of the independent relationships of each factor with various chemical components. Characterizing wood types in this way is quite distinct from studying variations in the chemical composition of stems.

---

---

The Roy O. Martin Lumber Company, Alexandria, Louisiana, and R. A. Leask and J. Adams, Bauer Bros. Company, Springfield, Ohio, assisted in collecting and preparing the experimental material. D. Bower, Mathematical Statistician, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, Louisiana, aided in the statistical interpretation.     

Fiber swelling favoured by lignin softening

Summary The effect of temperature on the uptake of water by various pulps has been studied at temperatures from 20 to 95°C. In the case of lignin-containing pulps, i.e. pulps which have been chlorite-delignified to various degrees, the swelling increases rapidly above a temperature of 60 to 75°C. For a CTMP where the softening temperature of the lignin has been lowered, a maximum in swelling is obtained at 50 to 60°C. When no lignin is present, as in cotton linters and holocellulose, the temperature has no effect on the swelling but the level of swelling in the holocellulose pulp is very high. It is suggested that the increase in swelling above 60 to 75°C is due to the softening of the lignin, the flow of which makes swelling possible. Below its softening temperature, the stiff lignin restricts the swelling which is primarily promoted by water uptake in the hemicelluloses. Some implications for pulping processes are discussed.The authors thank Miss Madeleine Ansén for skilful experimental assistance and Dr. J. A. Bristow for the linguistic revision     

海南岛柚木的木材性质

１１—１３龄柚木２０株，１７—１９龄７株，取自海南岛尖峰岭，用以研究木材比重及纤维长度的某些特性及测定标准物理力学性质。以胸高圆盘加权平均数为单元，比重０．４６６—０．５８８，平均０．５１６：纤维长度０．８７８—１．２３０ｍｍ，平均１．０６３ｍｍ。生长轮宽度与比重及纤维长度之间表现弱的负相关。第１轮和第９轮的材性存在显著的相关关系。材性在标地间的差异不显著，标地内株间的差异很显著。径向变异：髓心附近几轮的纤维长度和比重均增长很快，第８轮以后，前者增长缓慢，后者多起伏。轴向变异：１．心部系列（髓心向外６生长轮）第１轮纤维长度的轴向变异很小，其外几轮的纤维长度缓慢向上减轻或有起伏；基部各生长轮的比重很大，向上急剧减小至１．３ｍ高度，此后各生长轮的变化不一致。２．边部系列（树皮向内６生长轮）纤维长度和比重均很快向上减小。讨论了影响纤维长度轴向变异的主要因素。提出标准物理力学性质的试验结果。     

Variation in tracheid length in blue pine (Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jackson)

Summary Radial pattern of variation in the first-formed earlywood tracheid length in blue pine shows that it increases outwards from the pith at first rapidly up to the 10th ring, then more slowly up to about the 40th ring and thereafter it remains more or less constant. It is correlated significantly and positively with both age and distance from the pith up to 40 years. In the mature wood zone i.e. after 40 years, tracheid length is not affected by either age or distance from the pith. The mean tracheid length of mature wood is significantly and positively correlated with the mean tracheid length of juvenile wood and also with the tracheid length of each of the juvenile wood rings. Based on the results of this study some guidelines for sampling are proposed. Trees with greater than 51 cm d.b.h. or above 40 years of age can be compared by sampling only four outermost consecutive mature wood annual rings; and those with less than 51 cm d.b.h. or below 40 years of age can be compared by sampling any of the juvenile wood rings.A part of Ph. D. thesis submitted to Himachal Pradesh University, Simla-171 005 (India), under the supervision of Dr. K. K. Jain, Associate Professor. The author is thankful to Dr. Jain for constant encouragement and to the University Grants Commission (India) for financial assistance     

Radial modulus of rupture in radiata pine measured by individual rings

New equipment was developed to measure the strength of individual annual rings in green wood under predominantly tensile stress. This equipment was then used to assess the variation of the radial modulus of rupture (rMOR) in thirty-six 25-year-old radiata pine trees taken from three sites in New Zealand. The rMOR for individual rings ranged from 4.2 to 12.7 MPa and was calculated on the assumption that during bending of the specimens fracture was caused by the tensile force in the radial direction (i.e., perpendicular to the tangential-longitudinal plane). No consistent trends were observed in rMOR from pith to bark; nor was there any evidence of differences between the three sites. However, there was substantial between-tree variability that manifested mainly in different average rMOR values for the trees rather than in variations from pith to bark. These results indicate that there are no concerns with respect to splitting resistance for the juvenile wood of radiata pine. It will be of interest to investigate whether splitting resistance is under genetic control.     

Vessel size and number are contributors to define wood density in cork oak

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) has a dense wood that allows high-quality uses. In the present work, we study the influence of vessel characteristics, measured through image analysis and optical microscopy, on wood density, measured using X-ray microdensitometry, on 40-year-old trees. Vessel area increases with cambial age (5403–33064 μm²), while wood density decreases (1.229–0.836 g/cm³). The number of vessels is relatively constant at 6 vessels/mm², while vessel proportion in cross-section increases from 3.3% near the pith to 20.5% near the bark. In growth rings closest to the pith, with high wood density and low vessel area, the relationship between the two variables is linear (R ² = −32.1%, P < 0.01) but with increasing tree age and vessel size, the wood density remains rather constant, suggesting that decreases in density might compromise mechanical support of the tree at a stage when the increase in cross-sectional area alone might not provide mechanical stability. Other anatomical characteristics not considered in this study, like large xylem rays that increase with cambial age, may be responsible for the constant density.     

The glass transition of wood from the viewpoint of mechanical pulping

Summary Familiarity with the mechanical and thermal processes in the mechanical defibering of wood is a prerequisite for an understanding of mechanical pulping methods. The thermal softening behaviour of wood components, which can be described by glass transitions, is of particular significance. Investigations on the thermoplastic behaviour of solid wood confirm that the thermal softening of wood occurs at 115–145°C. The thermal softening behaviour is largely dependent on wood moisture but also on the nature of the wood. The results obtained permit conclusions regarding the layout of technological processes in groundwood.     

Prediction of wood stiffness, strength, and shrinkage in juvenile wood of radiata pine

Development of optimal ways to predict juvenile wood stiffness, strength, and stability using wood properties that can be measured with relative ease and low cost is a priority for tree breeding and silviculture. Wood static modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), radial, tangential, and longitudinal shrinkage (RS, TS, LS), wood density (DEN), sound wave velocity (SWV), spiral grain (SLG), and microfibril angle (MFA) were measured on juvenile wood samples from lower stem sections in two radiata pine test plantations. Variation between inner (rings 1–2 from pith) and outer (rings 3–6 from pith) rings was generally larger than that among trees. MOE and MOR were lower (50%) in inner-rings than in outer-rings. RS and TS were higher (30–50%) for outer-rings than inner-rings, but LS decreased rapidly (>200%) from inner-rings to outer-rings. DEN had a higher correlation with MOR than with MOE, while MFA had a higher correlation with dry wood MOE than with MOR. SLG had higher significant correlation with MOE than with MOR. DEN and MOE had a weak, significant linear relationship with RS and TS, while MOE had a strong negative non-linear relationship with LS. Multiple regressions had a good potential as a method for predicting billet stiffness (R ² > 0.42), but had only a weak potential to predict wood strength and shrinkage (R ² < 0.22). For wood stiffness acoustic velocity measurements seemed to be the most practical, and for wood strength and stability acoustic velocity plus core density seemed to be the most practical measurements for predicting lower stem average in young trees.     

Possibility of improvement in fundamental properties of wood of acacia hybrids by artificial hybridization

Growth, specific gravity, and wood fiber length of Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis, artificial acacia hybrid clones, and combinations, which were planted in a trial forest in Bavi, Vietnam, in July 2001, were examined. The radial variations from pith to bark were investigated to clarify the effect of genetic factors on these traits. Superiority of hybrids over their parents ranged from 36.3% to 41.6% for diameter, from 20.0% to 25.3% for height, from 6.9% to 20.7% for specific gravity, and from 6.1% to 12.8% for wood fiber length. The hybrid possessed heterosis in diameter, height, specific gravity, and wood fiber length regardless of whether the female parent was A. mangium or A. auriculiformis. The profiles of wood fiber length and specific gravity in the radial direction were similar for all the trees investigated. Wood fiber length was initially 0.5–0.6 mm near the pith and then increased slowly, finally reaching 1.0–1.2 mm near the bark. The specific gravity of acacia increased from 0.49–0.58 near the pith to 0.63–0.74 near the bark. From a relative distance of 30% from the pith, the specific gravity increased slightly and seemed to be stable. The relations among tree diameter, specific gravity, and wood fiber length were fair and could be represented by positive linear regression formulas. Hybrids for which A. auriculiformis was the female parent and A. mangium was the male parent had a faster growth rate and longer wood fibers than the inverse hybrids. Part of this report was presented at the 6th Pacific Regional Wood Anatomy Conference, Kyoto, Japan, December 2005     

Radial variations of wood properties in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> growing in Bangladesh

Radial variations of wood properties (basic density, fiber length, vessel element length, and compression strength) in plantation-grown Casuarina equisetifolia in Bangladesh were investigated for effective utilization of the wood. Samples disks at breast height were randomly collected from trees in a 10-year-old plantation in Cox’s Bazar Forest Division, Bangladesh. The basic density showed a near-constant value up to 30 mm from the pith and then rapidly increased up to 60 mm from the pith. The fiber length and vessel element length gradually increased from the pith to bark. When radial variation of wood properties was determined according to relative distance from the pith, similar radial patterns were observed among the sample trees, indicating that the wood properties in C. equisetifolia may be related to the growth rate. The compression strength parallel to the grain (CS) increased from the pith to bark. A significant positive correlation was found between the air-dried density and the CS. The results obtained indicated that wood around the pith has a relatively low density, and wood outside the pith area has a relatively high density, suggesting that it could be used as structural lumber. Part of this report was presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of Japan Wood Research Society, Tsukuba, March 2008     

杨树微纤丝角的变异及其与木材性质的相关关系

微纤丝角为细胞次生壁S2层微纤丝排列方向与细胞主轴所形成的夹角,与木材的物理性质、力学性质和化学性质都有着直接的关系。应用x射线衍射法测定了7个杨树无性系(14株样木)胸径处各年轮的微纤丝角,并对应分析和测定了各年轮的木材基本密度、纤维长度、纤维宽度和纤维素含量。研究结果表明,杨树微纤丝角在年轮间存在显著差异,其径向变异规律为从髓心向外以微纤丝角逐渐降低,年轮间的平均微纤丝角在7.8旱?8褐洌荒静幕久芏取⑾宋ざ取⑾宋矶群拖宋睾吭谀曷旨湟泊嬖谙灾钜臁O喙胤治霰砻鳎⑾怂拷怯肽静幕久芏取⑾宋ざ取⑾宋矶群拖宋睾看嬖谙灾母合喙毓叵??0.01),相关系数分别为-0.450、-0.586、-0.516和-0.660。回归分析结果表明,多项式方程可较好地描述杨树微纤丝角与所测定的木材性质的关系,相关系数均在-0.45以上(n=125)。本文的研究结果认为,在今后针对杨树材性改良的育种计划中,微纤丝角是一个重要的选育和改良指标。图3表3参34。