Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of moisture sorption state on transverse dimensional changes in wood

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to understand the transverse dimensional changes and corresponding anisotropicity in wood during different states of moisture sorption. Oven dried samples of Erythrina variegata, Lannea coromandelica, Gmelina arborea and Albizia chinensis were adsorbed and subsequently desorbed at constant temperature (35°C). Tangential and radial dimensional changes (swelling) were analysed with respect to relative humidity and moisture content during both the states of sorption. Dimensions in tangential direction were found to change at a relatively greater rate than in radial direction at high humidities. It was observed that transverse dimensions were more during desorption compared to adsorption at a given equilibrium moisture content. This confirms presence a second order effect of moisture sorption on dimensional movement. This effect was found to be more prominent in tangential direction compared to radial direction resulting in higher coefficient of anisotropy (α T /α R ratio) during desorption. The magnitude of this phenomenon was found to vary from species to species.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Arbeit war es, die transversale Dimensionsänderung und die entsprechenden anisotropen Verhältnisse in Holz während unterschiedlicher Grade der Feuchteaufnahme zu untersuchen. Ofengetrocknete Proben von Erythrina variegata, Lannea coromandelica, Gmelina arborea und Albizia chinensis wurden bei konstanter Temperatur (35°C) einer Sorption und anschließender Desorption unterworfen. Tangentiale und radiale Dimensionsänderungen wurden analysiert im Hinblick auf die relative Feuchte und den Wassergehalt in beiden Zuständen. Bei hohen Feuchten änderten sich die tangentialen Dimensionen schneller als in radialer Richtung. Bei einer gegebenen Gleichgewichtsfeuchte war die transversale Dimensionsänderung stärker während der Desorption als während der Sorption. Dies bestätigt einen Effekt zweiter Ordnung für den Einfluss der Feuchteaufnahme auf die Dimensionsänderung. Dieser Effekt war in tangentialer Richtung vorherrschender im Vergleich zur radialen Richtung, woraus sich ein höherer Grad an Anisotropie (α T /α R -Verhältnis) während der Desorption ergibt. Die Größe dieses Effekts variiert je nach Holzart.

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. 1a–d Abb. 1a–d
Fig. 2a–d Abb. 2a–d
Fig. 3. Abb. 3.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chauhan SS, Pankaj Aggarwal, Ajay Karmarkar, Ananthanarayana AK (1997) Sorption and shrinkage behaviour of Acacia auriculaeformis Wood. J Timber Development India XLIII(2):5–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Goulet M, Hernandez RE (1991) Influence of moisture sorption on the strength of sugar maple wood in tangential tension. Wood Fibre Sci 23:197–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartley ID, Avramidis S (1996) Static dimensional changes of Sitka Spruce and Western hemlock influenced by sorption conditions. J Inst Wood Sci 14:83–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez RE (1993a) Influence of moisture sorption history on the compressive properties of hardwoods. Wood Fibre Sci 25:103–111

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez RE (1993b) Influence of moisture sorption history on the swelling of sugar maple wood and some tropical hardwoods. Wood Sci Technol 27:337–345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hittmeier ME (1967) Effect of structural direction and initial moisture content on swelling rate of wood. Wood Sci Technol 1:109–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollman FFP, Cote WA (1968) Principles of wood science and technology. Part I: solid wood. Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Naderi N, Hernandez RE (1997) Effect of rewetting treatment on the dimensional changes of Sugar maple wood. Wood Fibre Sci 29:340–344

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skaar C (1988) Wood water relations. Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Director, Institute of Wood Science and Technology and Head, Wood Seasoning and Preservation Division for their support to carry out the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    S. S. Chauhan

  2. Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, 18th Cross, Bangalore, India

    P. Aggarwal

Authors
  1. S. S. Chauhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Aggarwal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. S. Chauhan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chauhan, S.S., Aggarwal, P. Effect of moisture sorption state on transverse dimensional changes in wood. Holz Roh Werkst 62, 50–55 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-003-0437-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-003-0437-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation