Effect of fungal exposure on the strength of thermally modified Norway spruce and Scots pine

Abstract

Thermal modification at elevated temperatures changes the chemical, biological and physical properties of wood. In this study, the effects of the level of thermal modification and the decay exposure (natural durability against soft-rot microfungi) on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce were investigated with a static bending test using a central loading method in accordance with EN 408 (1995). The results were compared with four reference wood species: Siberian larch, bangkirai, merbau and western red cedar. In general, both the thermal modification and the decay exposure decreased the strength properties. On average, the higher the thermal modification temperature, the more MOE and MOR decreased with unexposed samples and increased with decayed samples, compared with the unmodified reference samples. The strength of bangkirai was least reduced in the group of the reference wood species. On average, untreated wood material will be stronger than thermally modified wood material until wood is exposed to decaying fungi. Thermal modification at high temperatures over 210°C very effectively prevents wood from decay; however, strength properties are then affected by thermal modification itself.     

Durability of thermally modified sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce in the modified double layer test

In the present study, durability of untreated and thermally modified sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce was examined using a modified double layer test. Base layer samples were partly on contact with ground where exposure conditions were harder than that in a double layer test above the ground. The base layer on ground contact gave results already after one year of exposure in Finnish climate, but the top layer of a double layer test element simulated more the situation of decking exposure.

Significant differences in durability and moisture content (MC) between the wood materials were detected after six years of exposure in the field. Thermally modified pine heartwood performed very well in all layers of the test element and only minor signs of decay were found in some of the base samples. Both sapwood and heartwood of thermally modified spruce were suffering only slight amounts of decay while thermally modified pine sapwood was slightly or moderately decayed. Untreated sapwood samples of pine and spruce were severely decayed or reached failure rating after six years in the field. Untreated heartwood samples performed clearly better. The highest MCs were measured from untreated and thermally modified pine samples. Thermal modification increased significantly the durability and decreased the MC values of all wood materials.     

Durability of thermally modified Norway spruce and Scots pine in above-ground conditions

Abstract

One of the main objectives of thermal modification is to increase the biological durability of wood. In this study the fungal resistance of Norway spruce and Scots pine, thermally modified at 195°C and 210°C, was studied with a lap-joint field test. Untreated pine and spruce and pine impregnated with tributyl tin oxide (TBTO) and copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) were selected as reference materials. The evaluations were carried out after 1, 2 and 9 years of exposure. After 1 and 2 years of exposure mainly discoloration was detected. Only the untreated pine was slightly affected by decay fungi. There were significant differences in the decay ratings of untreated and thermally modified wood materials after 9 years in the field. While the untreated wood materials were severely attacked by decay fungi or reached failure rating, only small areas of incipient decay were detected in the thermally modified samples. Thermally modified pine was slightly more decayed than thermally modified spruce. The only wood material without any signs of decay was CCA-treated pine, since some of the TBTO-treated pine samples were also moderately attacked by fungal decay. The results of the lap-joint test had a good correlation with mass losses in a laboratory test with brown-rot fungi.     

Resistance of Pinus leucodermis heartwood and sapwood against the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana

Abstract

This study assessed the decay resistance of Pinus leucodermis wood to the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana. Based upon the median weight losses of 30.65% for heartwood and of 34.68% for sapwood obtained in the biological tests, both the heartwood and sapwood material examined was classified as not durable (durability class 5) according to the CEN/TS 15083-1 classification. Total extractives were low, 3.93% in heartwood and 1.00% in sapwood, while lignin content was 22.60% and 25.41% in heartwood and sapwood, respectively. It is highly recommended to use protective treatments before using P. leucodermis wood in outdoor conditions.     

Wood drying process: impact on Scots pine lumber durability

There are indications that the drying process may have negative effects on the natural durability of wood. The impact of various drying processes on the durability of Scots pine lumber has been evaluated with mass loss in a decay test with brown rot fungus, Coniophora puteana, as measure of the decay resistance of sapwood and inner and outer heartwood. Drying with or without steam conditioning was performed in six different series: air drying, kiln drying at temperature ranges commonly used in Swedish sawmills at 70°C and 90°C with two different regulation principles, and one high-temperature drying at 110°C. Durability varied considerably both between and within boards. Sapwood showed considerable less durability than heartwood. No difference in durability was found between inner heartwood and outer heartwood. Air-dried heartwood showed the highest durability compared to other drying series. The lowest durability in sapwood and heartwood was found for series dried at the 90°C temperature level with high material temperature early in drying. The interpretation is that the duration of high material temperature at high moisture content (MC) is the critical combination for decay resistance in heartwood. Steam conditioning after drying decreased durability in sapwood.     

The influence of different soil substrates on the service life of Scots pine sapwood and oak heartwood in ground contact

The durability of wood in ground contact is affected by numerous influences, such as substrate quality, climate and microflora of the soil, which need to be considered for the prediction of service life of wooden components to be used in the ground. In this study the influence of different soil substrates on the service life of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl.) was investigated. Mini-stakes were exposed in six different soils at the test site of the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products (BFH) in Hamburg, Germany. The effect of partly embedding the test samples in concrete or polyethylene films was also examined. After 3 years of exposure the decay rates for both wood species differed significantly between the soil substrates. Compost soil and fertilized test field soil induced the highest decay activity, whereas in pure sand the lowest decay rates were observed. Surprisingly, exposure in gravel also led to higher decay ratings than sand. Protective measures by means of concrete embedding and polyethylene films performed well during the first 2 years of exposure, but showed increasing decay rates in the third year. The overall decay rating for all soil types was higher for oak heartwood than for pine sapwood. The meaning of different soils, independent of other site influences, for service life prediction of wood is discussed, and the need for further studies on this topic is highlighted.     

The influence of different soil substrates on the service life of Scots pine sapwood and oak heartwood in ground contact

Abstract

The durability of wood in ground contact is affected by numerous influences, such as substrate quality, climate and microflora of the soil, which need to be considered for the prediction of service life of wooden components to be used in the ground. In this study the influence of different soil substrates on the service life of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl.) was investigated. Mini-stakes were exposed in six different soils at the test site of the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products (BFH) in Hamburg, Germany. The effect of partly embedding the test samples in concrete or polyethylene films was also examined. After 3 years of exposure the decay rates for both wood species differed significantly between the soil substrates. Compost soil and fertilized test field soil induced the highest decay activity, whereas in pure sand the lowest decay rates were observed. Surprisingly, exposure in gravel also led to higher decay ratings than sand. Protective measures by means of concrete embedding and polyethylene films performed well during the first 2 years of exposure, but showed increasing decay rates in the third year. The overall decay rating for all soil types was higher for oak heartwood than for pine sapwood. The meaning of different soils, independent of other site influences, for service life prediction of wood is discussed, and the need for further studies on this topic is highlighted.     

Outdoor exposure of untreated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] wood samples

Abstract

Untreated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) samples were exposed above ground in a durability test for 6 years. The samples consisted of three pieces of wood, 22×95×500 mm, screwed together; two pieces lengthwise with a third piece overlapping. Weight was measured, to calculate moisture content (MC), and samples checked regularly for cracks and fungal growth. Parameters investigated were heartwood/sapwood (pine), annual ring orientation (spruce), stand site, annual ring width and density. Stand site, annual ring width and density had no influence on MC or fungal growth for either pine or spruce. Spruce samples with vertical annual rings had fewer cracks than samples with horizontal annual rings. Pine sapwood samples had a high MC and a large amount of rot fungi, while heartwood had a lower MC and no rot. Most spruce samples were similar to pine heartwood, except from a few samples that had high MC and fungal growth. Those were all sawn from the outer part of the log. Therefore, it can be stated that spruce sawn from the inner part has almost the same properties as pine heartwood, while spruce from the outer part of the log has similar properties to pine sapwood.     

Degradation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) heartwood and sapwood during 5.5 years’ above-ground exposure

Abstract

Differences in durability between heartwood and sapwood of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] were investigated to determine wood qualities most favourable for use in outdoor constructions above ground. Trees grown on sites with either good or poor access to water were used. Seventy-eight specimens measuring 20 × 50 × 300?mm³ separated into heartwood and sapwood, half untreated, half painted, were exposed horizontally outdoors above ground for 5.5?years with the pith side up and the bark side down. Crack length and crack number were measured. Fungus growth and surface changes were visually estimated. Fungus type was determined by microscopic analysis. The main finding was that spruce heartwood had fewer and shorter cracks and less surface-discolouring fungus growth than sapwood. This was valid for both painted and untreated wood. After 2?years’ exposure, the cracks in sapwood (upper surface) were more than three times longer and about five times more numerous than in heartwood for both painted and untreated boards. Microscopic study showed that surface discoloration was due mainly to Aureobasidium pullulans, together with a few other discolouring fungi. After 5.5?years, initial decay was established on the surface and in the end grain of four untreated test objects.     

Some factors influencing susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis)

Abstract

The heartwood and sapwood from Scots pine (PS), Norway spruce (PA), and Oriental spruce (PO) were tested for susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake. In addition, annual ring width and density were measured. The methods used were Mycologg for testing growth of fungi and a modified version of EN 927-5 to investigate water uptake. For pine, the heartwood showed a lower water uptake and no discoloring fungi growing in the tests. The heartwood had a significantly higher density and smaller annual ring width than the sapwood. In PA the heartwood had significantly lower discoloration than sapwood. The total water uptake in g/m² was significantly higher in sapwood, but not the calculated moisture content. As for wood properties, the density was significantly higher in sapwood compared to heartwood, although there were no differences in annual ring width. Regarding PO, differences in water uptake could be seen between sapwood and heartwood although the densities were similar. These results show that susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake is hard to correlate to a single inherent property when looking at different wood species.     

Optimisation of a two-stage heat treatment process: durability aspects

Heat treatment of wood at relatively high temperatures (in the range of 150–280°C) is an effective method to improve biological durability of wood. This study was performed to investigate the effect of heat treatment process optimisation on the resistance against fungal attack, including basidiomycetes, molds and blue stain fungi. An industrially used two-stage heat treatment method under relatively mild conditions (<200°C) was used to treat the boards. Heat treatment of radiata pine sapwood revealed a clear improvement of the resistance against the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta. Increasing process temperature and/or effective process time during the first process stage, the hydro thermolysis, appeared to affect the resistance against C. puteana attack, but the effect on the resistance against P. placenta was rather limited. Heat treated radiata pine showed a limited resistance against the white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor and process variations during the hydro thermolysis stage appeared not to affect this resistance. A clear difference between the resistance of heat treated Scots pine sapwood and heartwood against fungal attack is observed. Scots pine heartwood showed a higher resistance against C. puteana and P. placenta but also against the white rot fungus C. versicolor. Similar results were obtained when heat treated birch was exposed to brown and white rot fungi. Heat treatment showed an improved resistance against C. puteana attack, especially at higher temperatures during the hydro thermolysis stage. A clear improvement of the durability was also observed after exposure to the white rot fungus C. versicolor and especially Stereum hirsutum. Increasing the process temperature or process time during the hydro thermolysis stage appeared to have a limited effect on the resistance against C. versicolor attack. Heat treated radiata pine and Norway spruce were still susceptible to mold growth on the wood surface, probably due to the formation of hemicelluloses degradation products (e.g. sugars) during heat treatment. Remarkable is the absence of blue stain fungi on heat treated wood specimen, also because the abandant blue stain fungi were observed on untreated specimen. Molecular reasons for the resistance of heat treated wood against fungal attack are discussed in detail contributing to a better understanding of heat treatment methods.     

3种不同处理方法对木材渗透性影响的研究

本文通过对长白鱼鳞云杉和臭冷杉生材分别进行普通气干处理和酒精置换处理以及对其气干材进行水浸处理,研究了这３种不同处理方法对木材气渗透性的影响及其影响机理。研究结果表明,长白鱼鳞云杉边材、心材和臭冷杉心村的生材经普通气干处理后,其气体渗透性较低,分别约为０．１１４、０．０４５和０．１１１ｄａｒｃｙ;长白鱼鳞云杉边材、心材和臭冷杉心材的生材经酒精置换处理后,其气体渗透性分别约为１１．７１３、０．０７４和０．１４４ｄａｒｃｙ,比普通气干处理对照组试样的平均渗透性分别增加约１０１．５倍、６２％和３０％,ｔ检验表明,前者差异非常显著,但后两者差异不显著;已气干１８个月的长白鱼鳞云杉边材、心材和臭冷杉心材经水浸处理后,其平均气体浸透性较处理前分别增加约８５％、４９％、６５．５％,ｔ检验表明差异均显著。长白鱼鳞云杉生材边材经     

Separating Norway spruce heartwood and sapwood in dried condition with near-infrared spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis

Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] heartwood and sapwood have differing wood properties, but are similar in appearance. An investigation was made to see whether near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) could be used with multivariate statistics for separation between heartwood and sapwood in dry state on tangential longitudinal surfaces. For classification of wood into sapwood and heartwood, partial least square (PLS) regression was used. Orthogonal signal correction (OSC) filtering was used on the spectra. This study shows that a separation of sapwood and heartwood of spruce is possible with NIR spectra measured in a laboratory environment. The visible-wavelength spectra have significant influence on the predictive power of separation models between sapwood and heartwood of spruce. All 44 specimens in the calibration set were correctly classified into heartwood and sapwood. Validation of the model was done with a prediction set of 16 specimens, of which one was classified incorrectly.     

Cupping of wooden cladding boards in cyclic conditions—a study of boards made of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris)

The aim of the study was to examine how the thickness and species of softwood influence cupping during cyclic conditions. The study was conducted with full-scale test walls in laboratory conditions. On the basis of the results, the thickness and species of softwood both have a significant influence on cupping of the cladding board. The boards made of Norway spruce were considerably more resistant to cupping than those made of Scots pine sapwood. Boards made of Scots pine sapwood were more likely to remain curved after each drying period. It appears probable that the cupping sensitivity of Scots pine sapwood affects the durability of the cladding, e.g., causing cracking formation on the surface and peeling of the coating. From the curving results, it is possible to estimate surface elongation and durability of the wood surface and of the coating in cyclic conditions.     

Liquid water absorption in dried Norway spruce timber measured with CT scanning and viewed as a percolation process

Liquid flow in dried wood is complicated to study, since wood is a nonhomogeneous, hygroscopic-porous, anisotropic material. However, liquid flow is important to understand, since it has an influence on the durability of wood and on such processes like impregnation, drying, surface treatment, etc. In this study, simulations of liquid water absorption in wood as a fibre network, percolation, were compared with experimental water absorption in the longitudinal direction in spruce timber. With CT scanning, water distribution during liquid flow can be shown visually and measured by image processing. Liquid water absorption in end grain of spruce was measured with CT scanning after 1, 3, 7 and 14?days of liquid water absorption and shown as moisture content (MC) profiles in heartwood and sapwood. It was found that the amount of water absorbed could be expressed as a linear function of the square root of time. The slopes of the lines differed between sapwood and heartwood and also varied depending on the growth condition of the trees. The simulations according to the percolation method show generally good agreement with the measured results for sapwood.     

Isolation and characterisation of water soluble polysaccharides from Norway spruce and Scots pine

Water soluble polysaccharides from Norway spruce, Scots pine, and Siberian larch were compared. For all species the total amount of polysaccharides isolated from the heartwood was higher than that from the sapwood. The heartwood polysaccharides had a high content of galactose and arabinose units, and some glucuronic acid units, suggesting the presence of acidic arabinogalactans. The total amounts of recovered water-soluble arabinogalactans were 1.9 mg/g for spruce heartwood, 5.3 mg/g for pine heartwood, and as much as 106 mg/g for larch heartwood. The other water-soluble polysaccharides were mainly glucomannans. The average ratio of Gal:Ara:GlcA in the water-soluble arabinogalactans of spruce heartwood was about 4.3:1:1, pine heartwood about 4.5:1:0.2, and larch heartwood about 6.7:1:0.1. The corresponding molar ratios then being about 3.6:1:0.8 for spruce, 3.8:1:0.2 for pine, and 5.6:1:0.08 for larch. Thus, the content of glucuronic acid units was especially high in the spruce heartwood arabinogalactans. The content of arabinose was slightly higher in spruce and pine than in larch heartwood arabinogalactans.     

Variation in the decay resistance of larch to fungi

? Decay resistance of larch (Larix sp.) to fungi was evaluated on heartwood samples belonging to 3 species (L. decidua, L. kaempferi and their hybrid), 3 races of European larch (polonica, sudetica and alpine), 13 wood lots (populations) and 313 trees.

? Larch wood appeared, on average, as moderately durable although a high variability was observed. At the sample level as well as at the mean individual tree level, durability ranged from class 1 to 5 according to EN 350-1 standard. At the population level, larch wood varied from ‘durable’ to ‘slightly durable’. Genetics played a major role in decay resistance at the species, provenance and tree levels. Environmental factors such as the position of heartwood samples and the age of trees were also identified as a source of variability.

? The most durable wood was not necessarily from old native alpine stands of European larch: some young larches from faster growing lowland origins also produced durable wood.

? Genetic improvement of larch wood durability appeared therefore likely by the selection of the best populations for decay resistance as well as from the selection of individuals.

     

Soft X-ray observation of water distribution in the stem ofCryptomeria japonica D. Don I: General description of water distribution

Water distribution in green stems ofCryptomeria japonica D. Don was observed by soft X-ray photography. In the sapwood, much water was present and evenly distributed. In the intermediate wood (the white zone), little water was present. The intermediate wood appeared in all cross sections of the stem and separated the heartwood from the sapwood in the intertracheid water connection. Maldistribution of water was generally observed in the heartwood, and three types of water presence were distinguishable: a “wet area” with accumulated water, a “dry area” with little water, and a “moderate moisture area” with intermediate accumulation. The distribution pattern and amount of water in the heartwood varied dramatically among and even within trees. Separation of the heartwood from the sapwood in the intertracheid water connection suggested that the presence of water in the heartwood was caused by rewetting of the tracheid lamina that occurred after heartwood formation. The maldistribution of water in the heartwood suggested that a difference in the process of rewetting causes both uneven distribution and the various types of water presence.     

Mechanism of decay resistance of heartwood extracts from Acacia confusa against the brown-rot fungus Laetiporus sulphureus

Acacia confusa is an indigenous plantation species in Taiwan, and its heartwood has excellent decay resistance capability. The aim of this study is to investigate the resistance mechanisms of heartwood extracts from A. confusa against Laetiporus sulphureus (brown-rot). Results from wood block decay resistance tests indicate that aqueous crude extract and its three soluble fractions can significantly decrease the weight loss of wood blocks caused by L. sulphureus. However, none of the extracts can inhibit the growth of L. sulphureus on agar plate test. The performance of decay resistance from three soluble fractions is consistent with their antioxidant activities (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and ferrous ion chelating ability). 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA), the compound present in three soluble fractions, exhibited excellent antioxidant activities and was proven to have excellent decay resistance ability against L. sulphureus. These findings suggest that 3,4-DHBA may be responsible for the inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation from Fenton reaction caused by L. sulphureus. Thus, 3,4-DHBA has good potential to be used as a novel and environmentally benign wood preservative.     

Variation in the natural termite resistance of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. fil.) wood as a function of tree age

? Tree age is one of the most important factors to affect the natural durability of wood.

? The purpose of this study was to determine the natural termite resistance of heartwood and sapwood of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. fil.) for trees aged 8, 30 and 51 years. Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe was employed as a test termite using a no-choice feeding method.

? The heartwood and sapwood of all of the trees tested exhibited antitermitic activity. Based on the mean mass loss due to termite activity, the sapwood and heartwood regions of 8-year-old trees are the most susceptible to termites while the heartwood regions of the 30-year-old trees showed termite resistance similar to the termite resistance of 51-year-old trees.

? The mass loss is moderately correlated with n-hexane extractive content, total extractive content, brightness and redness of the wood.