The Effect of Organic Liquids on Collapse and Shrinkage of Wood. 1. Effect of Degrees of Replacement

Specimens of two collapse-susceptible species, Quercus kelloggii and Arbutus menziesii were ovendried after their original water had been replaced with varying concentrations of n-propyl alcohol and cellusolve solutions. Collapse and checking were virtually eliminated by use of the higher range of organic liquid concentrations, but at the lowest concentrations an increase in shrinkage was observed. After replacement had taken place and been studied, all residual organic liquid was removed by steam distillation in order to determine the effect on collapse reduction. This process also removed most of the collapse from the wood. After the final drying, the samples showed an increase in the total shrinkage at low organic liquid concentrations, with the lowest, shrinkage being obtained with complete replacement. There was no evidence that core compression stresses were responsible for collapse, which was best explained by reduction of liquid tensions because of lowered surface tension. In general, the final shrinkage was reduced by steam distillation to remove all residual organic liquid.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member