Interpretation of X-ray diffractograms of wood for assessments of microfibril angles in fibre cell walls

Summary

Graphical models have been developed to represent X-ray diffraction patterns for microfibril arrangements in each of the characteristic secondary wall layers of fibres in normal earlywood, latewood, compression wood, and tension wood. Models for usual combinations of typical layers S₁, S₂, and S₃, and for complex tissues including more than one S₂ layer class indicate a basis for a new analytical technique for diffractograms.

Diffractograms of tissues from earlywood or latewood zones may involve effects of three to four S₂ layer variations, possibly including tension wood or compression wood. The new technique enables assessment of the microfibril angle for each. Corresponding probable experimental errors are considered. Thus it is demonstrated that, even without direct calibration by other methods for measuring microfibril angle, realistic comparative values may be obtained for all S₂ layer classes substantially represented. Such data constitute significantly more reliable indices of actual values than those provided by other techniques. Also, the data give qualitative information on other aspects of the variability of fibre types within each specimen.