Influence of Prefreezing on the Fibre Saturation Point,Sorption and Swelling Properties of Birch ( Betula Pubescens ) Wood

Abstract

Matched samples were obtained from green birch (Betula pubescens) wood. Prefreezing was done at -20°C for 72hours. Both the prefrozen and unfrozen samples were dried and soaked in water for the determination of sorption behavior, swelling properties and fibre saturation point. Prefreezing resulted in 6.7 to 666.7% increase in rate of adsorption, 0 to 13.3% decrease in the rate of desorption, 2.2% decrease in volumetric swelling coefficient and 0.8% decrease in fibre saturation point. However only the change in the rate of water adsorption is statistically significant at 95% confidence level.

Since these results were obtained from samples taken from a typical board, more results are required in order to characterise the effects of prefreezing on available stock of Birch wood.

Keywords

WOOD PREFREEZING ADSORPTION DESORPTION SWELLING FIBRE SATURATION POINT HYGROSCOPY

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