Microfibril Angle as a Parameter in Timber Quality Assessment

Wood fiber can be considered a two-phase material consisting of cellulose microfibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix. Theoretical work based on this concept shows that the microfibril angle of the S2 layer of the tracheid wall is one of the fundamental properties of the cell wall and exerts a profound effect on the elastic properties and dimensional stability of whole wood. These theoretical predictions have been amply confirmed by both direct and indirect experimental evidence. Also, there is evidence that the microfibril angle exerts an effect on a wider range of wood and fiber properties. The measurement of the microfibril angle using x-ray diffraction is capable of being made an almost automatic operation and should be considered as one of the basic measurements in assessing timber quality.

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