Evaluation of a New Portable Radio Frequency Moisture Meter on Lumber with Drying Gradients

A portable radiofrequency moisture meter has been developed that responds to water in wood over a wide range of MCs. The instrument operates at a frequency of 7 Mhz supplying a 2.75-volt RMS sine-wave to a network comprised of a voltage divider, detector, and coplanar electrode. Tests were performed on nine 4/4 hardwoods, dried from the green state at three RH conditions (40, 60, and 80%) at 27?C to judge the effects of different moisture gradients on the meter’s response. Density, board thickness, number and position of meter readings, and board surface conditions were also studied. Calibration curves were developed for each species and drying condition. No correlation was found between species density and meter reading. Surface conditions of the board had little effect on readings. Sample thickness proved an important variable for the meter sensitivity employed in this study.

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