FTIR measurement of cellulose microfibril angle in historic Scots pine wood and its use to detect fungal decay

Hudson-McAulay, K., Auty, D. and Jarvis, M. C. (2018) FTIR measurement of cellulose microfibril angle in historic Scots pine wood and its use to detect fungal decay. Studies in Conservation, 63(6), pp. 375-382. (doi: 10.1080/00393630.2017.1353282)

Abstract

Microfibril angle (MFA) – the orientation of cellulose fibres in the S2 layer of the secondary cell wall – is a key determinant of the stiffness and strength of timber. The microfibril angle depends on the way in which the timber was grown and its position within the tree. Microfibril angle can be measured by X-ray diffraction and other methods, but the methods in current use are slow or require advanced instrumentation. The aim of this study was to explore the use of polarised Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy as a relatively fast and inexpensive method for measuring MFA in historic Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The FTIR measurements were calibrated against X-ray measurements of MFA in modern Scots pine. We observed a wide range in MFA values and a radial pattern of MFA similar to modern Scots pine in undecayed Scots pine heartwood from sixteenth and seventeenth century beams in Scottish secular buildings. The density of the heartwood was also similar to modern plantation-grown Scots pine despite the much slower growth rate recorded in the ring widths of the historic timber. The sapwood, which had been attacked by both insect pests and fungi, showed an erratic reduction in density and a large increase in MFA compared to the modern material. The increased sapwood MFA was attributed to selective destruction of the S2 layer of the wood cell walls by fungal decay. Using MFA measurements in conjunction with density offers the possibility to estimate the mechanical properties of sound historic pine timber, to detect fungal decay more sensitively than by density alone, and to distinguish between pest and fungal attack in a way that relates directly to the remaining mechanical performance of the timber.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jarvis, Dr Michael and McAulay, Dr Kate
• Authors: Hudson-McAulay, K., Auty, D., and Jarvis, M. C.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Studies in Conservation
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0039-3630
• ISSN (Online): 2047-0584
• Published Online: 01 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
• First Published: First published in Studies in Conservation 63(6):375-382
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy