Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Within-tree variations in the surface free energy of wood assessed by contact angle analysis

  • Original
  • Published:
Wood Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although the heterogeneity of wood could preclude assessment of the performances of adhesion, the within-tree variations in its thermodynamic properties still remain unexplored. This study analyzed the surface free energy of wood (γ W ) calculated by the geometric mean approach along the radius and at different sampling heights in black spruce and balsam fir with a statistical model, employing apparent contact angles of three testing liquids. Sampling height and species affected the apparent contact angles, and consequently the polar (\( \gamma_{W}^{P} \)) and dispersed (\( \gamma_{W}^{D} \)) components of γ W , but no significant difference was observed along the radius. On average, γ W was 43.77 mJ m−2 at the stem base and gradually decreased, attaining 27.19 mJ m−2 at 14 m of height. \( \gamma_{W}^{P} \) was markedly higher than \( \gamma_{W}^{D} \) with an opposite pattern along the tree height. These findings demonstrated the huge variability in γ W along the stem, which could be related to the structural or chemical features of wood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anfodillo T, Carraro V, Carrer M, Fior C, Rossi S (2006) Converging tapering of xylem conduits in different woody species. New Phytol 169:279–290

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Forest Service (2009) The state of Canada’s forests. Annual report. Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, p 55

    Google Scholar 

  • de Meijer M, Haemers S, Cobben W, Militz H (2000) Surface energy determination of wood: comparison of methods and wood species. Langmuir 16:9352–9359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner BL, Wålinder MEP (2006) Special issue on wood adhesion and adhesives. J Adhes Sci Technol 20:725–727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gindl M, Sinn G, Gindl W, Reiterer A, Tschegg S (2001) A comparison of different methods to calculate the surface free energy of wood using contact angle measurements. Colloids Surf A 181:279–287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gindl M, Reiterer A, Sinn G, Stanzl-Tschegg SE (2004) Effects of surface ageing on wettability, surface chemistry, and adhesion of wood. Holz Roh Werkst 62:273–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gominho J, Rodrigues JC, Pereira H (2001) Within-tree variation of heartwood, extractives and wood density in the eucalypt hybrid urograndis (Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla). Wood Fiber Sci 33:3–8

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hse C-Y, Kuo M-L (1988) Influence of extractives on wood gluing and finishing—a review. For Prod J 38:52–56

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jyske T, Mäkinen H, Saranpää P (2008) Wood density within Norway spruce stems. Silva Fenn 42:439–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Koga S, Zhang SY (2004) Inter-tree and intra-tree variations in ring width and wood density components in balsam fir (Abies balsamea). Wood Sci Technol 38:149–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause C, Rossi S, Thibeault-Martel M, Plourde P-Y (2010) Relationships of climate and cell features in stems and roots of black spruce and balsam fir. Ann For Sci 67:402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kúdela J, Liptáková E (2006) Adhesion of coating materials to wood. J Adhes Sci Technol 20:875–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lupi C, Morin H, Deslauriers A, Rossi S (2010) Xylem phenology and wood production: resolving the chicken-or-egg dilemma. Plant Cell Environ 33(10):1721–1730

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mátyás C, Peszlen I (1997) Effect of age on selected wood quality traits of poplar clones. Silvae Genet 46:64–72

    Google Scholar 

  • McCulloh KA, Sperry JS (2005) Patterns in hydraulic architecture and their implications for transport efficiency. Tree Physiol 25:257–267

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meinzer FC, Clearwater MJ, Goldstein G (2001) Water transport in trees: current perspectives, new insights and some controversies. Environ Exp Bot 45:239–262

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owens DK, Wendt RC (1969) Estimation of the surface free energy of polymers. J App Polym Sci 13:1741–1747

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rabel W (1971) Einige Aspekte der Benetzungstheorie und ihre Anwendung auf die Untersuchung und Veränderung der Oberflächeneigenschaften von Polymeren. Farbe und Lack 77:997–1005

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi S, Deslauriers A, Anfodillo T, Carrer M (2008) Age-dependent xylogenesis in timberline conifers. New Phytol 177:199–208

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi S, Tremblay M-J, Morin H, Savard G (2009) Growth and productivity of black spruce in even- and uneven-aged stands at the limit of the closed boreal forest. For Ecol Manage 258:2153–2161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi S, Morin H, Tremblay M-J (2010) Growth and productivity of black spruce (Picea mariana) belonging to the first cohort in stands within and north of the commercial forest in Quebec, Canada. Ann For Sci 67(8):807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stehr M, Gardner DJ, Wålinder MEP (2001) Dynamic wettability of different machined wood surfaces. J Adhes 76:185–200

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stringer JW, Olson JR (1987) Radial and vertical variation in stem properties of juvenile black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Wood Fiber Sci 19:59–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Via BK, So CL, Groom LH, Shupe TF, Stine M, Wikaira J (2007) Within tree variation of lignin, extractives, and microfibril angle coupled with the theoretical and near infrared modeling of microfibril angle. IAWA J 28:189–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Villegas MS, Area MC, Marlats RM (2009) Caracterización de la madera de Salix. 1: influencia del sito, clon, edad y altura de muestreo. Invest Agrar Sist Recur For 18:192–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Wålinder MEP, Gardner DJ (2002) Acid-base characterization of wood and selected thermoplastics. J Adhes Sci Technol 16:1625–1649

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolkenhauer A, Avramidis G, Hauswald E, Militz H, Viöl W (2009) Sanding vs. plasma treatment of aged wood: a comparison with respect to surface energy. Int J Adhes Adhes 29:18–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SY, Jiang ZH (1998) Variability of selected wood characteristics in 40 half-sib families of black spruce (Picea mariana). Wood Sci Technol 32:71–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SY, Nepveu G, Eyono Owoundi R (1994) Intratree and intertree variation in selected wood quality characteristics of European oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur). Can J For Res 24:1818–1823

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by Osservatorio Termale Permanente and Consortium de Recherche sur la Forêt Boréale Commerciale. The authors thank the company ENCO srl (Spinea, VE, Italy) for technical support and A. Garside for checking the English text.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy

    Davide Rossi & Antonio Bettero

  2. Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l’Université, G7H2B1, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada

    Sergio Rossi & Hubert Morin

Authors
  1. Davide Rossi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sergio Rossi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hubert Morin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Antonio Bettero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sergio Rossi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rossi, D., Rossi, S., Morin, H. et al. Within-tree variations in the surface free energy of wood assessed by contact angle analysis. Wood Sci Technol 46, 287–298 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-011-0407-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-011-0407-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation