The Effect of Organic Liquids on Collapse and Shrinkage of Wood. III. Chemical Influences

Thirteen organic liquids, used separately, replaced the water in unseasoned Quercus kelloggii Newb., and in Arbutus menziesii in order to determine their action for reduction in shrinkage and collapse. The replacement liquids were rated as to their spreading coefficient (work of adhesion – work of cohesion). With chemically neutral organic liquids miscible with water, the reduction in collapse was consistent with the premise that surface tension of the liquid is a determining factor. N-propyl alcohol with a surface tension of 23.8 at 20?C. was more effective in preventing collapse than pyridine with a surface tension of 38. The sum of the tangential and radial shrinkage was 10.0 percent in the former and 30.2 percent in the latter. With neutral organic liquids having low solubility in water, the adhesive strength of the liquid to the wood or water film becomes a controlling factor. Bromoform permitted a combined tangential and radial shrinkage of 16.9 percent. Organic liquids which disassociate sufficiently to cause chemical deterioration cause abnormally high collapse irrespective of surface tension–for example, formic acid.

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