Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of the fibre saturation point in whole wood using differential scanning calorimetry

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

Summary

A new method for determining the fibre saturation point (FSP) of whole never-dried wood is described. Enthalpy of melting values from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments are used to calculate the proportion of non-freezing water. Two methods for calculating the FSP from the enthalpy data are described. FSP determinations were carried out on the commercially important West Australian eucalypt species, Eucalyptus marginata and Eucalyptus diversicolor and a plantation softwood, Pinus radiata. Results are reproducible and are corroborated by the traditional volumetric shrinkage method for determining the FSP. On all samples below 10 mg a low temperature endothermic peak is observed as a shoulder on the main peak. It is postulated that this is due to an intermediate layer of water between the freezing and non-freezing water.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Green, D. W. 1989: Moisture content and the shrinkage of lumber. Res. Pap. FPL-RP-489. Madison, W1: US Dept. of Ag., Forest Service

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhill, W. L. 1936: The shrinkage of Australian timbers. Part 1. Div. For. Prod. Tech. Paper No. 21. CSIR, Melbourne, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhill, W. L. 1940: The shrinkage of Australian timbers. Part 2. Div. For. Prod. Tech. Paper No. 35. CSIR, Melbourne, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelsey, K. E. 1957: The sorption of water vapour by wood. Austr. J. Appl. Sci. 8: 42–49

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kingston, R. S. T; Risdon, C. J. E. 1961: Shrinkage and density of Australian and other South-West Pacific woods. Div. For. Prod. Tech. Paper No. 13, CSIRO, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Scallan, A. M.; Carles, J. E. 1972: Correlation of the water retention value with the fibre saturation point. Svensk Papperstidn. 75: 699–703

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamm, A. J. 1971: Review of nine methods for determining the fibre saturation points of wood and wood products. Wood Sci. 4: 114–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Weast, R. C. (Ed.) 1983: CRC handbook of chemistry and physics. 63rd. Ed. Florida: CRC Press

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Murdoch University, 6150, Murdoch, Western Australia

    Louise A. Simpson & A. F. M. Barton (Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. Louise A. Simpson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. F. M. Barton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Use of the DSC at Curtin University of Technology, and the help of Mr. I. Sills is greatly appreciated. This and related work is supported by the Australian Govt. Department of Primary Industry and Energy (Forestry)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Simpson, L.A., Barton, A.F.M. Determination of the fibre saturation point in whole wood using differential scanning calorimetry. Wood Sci.Technol. 25, 301–308 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225469

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225469

Keywords

Search

Navigation