Influence of the pore structure of wood on moisture desorption at high relative humidities

The influence of the porous structure on moisture desorption of two temperate and five tropical hardwoods was studied. Two experimental techniques were used to perform moisture desorption tests from full saturation at 25°C. The first one was the saturated salt solutions [between 33% and 90% relative humidity (RH)] and the second one was the pressure membrane method (above 96% RH). More emphasis was given to results obtained at high RH, given that sorption in that case is mainly governed by the capillary forces. The porous structure of these hardwoods was characterized by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and by quantitative anatomical analysis. The results showed that desorption of liquid water was very different among the hardwood species. The MIP technique appeared as an important tool to evaluate the fluid paths within wood, which permitted the prediction of water behavior in wood during drainage from full saturation at high RH. Quantitative anatomical results were very useful for explaining the first steps of drainage and mercury penetration in wood.