Wood tensile strength at temperatures and moisture contents simulating fire conditions

Summary The immediate tensile strength parameters for spruce parallel to the grain and for hardboard have been determined at equilibrium conditions at temperatures up to 250°C. Below 100°C the moisture content has been varied between 0 and 30%. Above 100°C dry samples have been studied. An increase in moisture content up to about 12% leads to a slight increase in the tensile strength of spruce whereas the modulus of elasticity remains constant. With a further increase in moisture content, both properties decrease significantly. At any given moisture content, both properties decrease with increasing temperature. The corresponding strain at rupture is constant. An increase in temperature leads to a more or less linear decrease in the tensile strength and in the modulus of elasticity up to about 200°C. Above 200°C there is a more rapid decrease due to thermal softening. It is most relevant to consider the relative strength decrease since the absolute levels may be quite high due to the fact that wood samples without any irregularities were used. Such relative strength data are compared with the small amount of similar data found in the literature. The effects on the modulus of elasticity are discussed in terms of thermal softening and of water as a softener for the cellulose/hemicellulose polymers. The glass transition temperature is determined as a function of the moisture content.A special thank to Ms. K. Bojadzijev for skillful experimental assistance, to Prof. E. L. Back for stimulating discussions and to the fund for research in woodworking industries for financial support