Measuring compression wood severity in spruce

Altaner, C.M., Tokareva, E.N., Wong, J.C.T., Hapca, A.I., McLean, J.P. and Jarvis, M.C. (2009) Measuring compression wood severity in spruce. Wood Science and Technology, 43(3-4), pp. 279-290. (doi: 10.1007/s00226-008-0226-1)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

As the severity of compression wood influences the mechanical and chemical properties of wood it is desirable to be able to measure compression wood severity. However, so far no satisfactory method has been reported in the literature. Here we describe how scanning FTIR micro-spectroscopy can be employed to achieve CW severity measurements on increment cores of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L. Karst.) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière). Radial wood strips were converted into sawdust by a process that maintained their spatial orientation. Samples prepared in this way were scanned with an FTIR-microscope in reflective mode and from the spectra obtained a CW-indicator was calculated representing aromatic and carboxyl signals. This FTIR CW-indicator correlated well with alternative CW identification techniques (namely microfibril angle, transmitted light and immunolabelling of beta 1–4 galactan), which have been used to validate the method. Repeatability of the measurements was good and no systematic difference between spruce species was found. The achievable resolution of the measurements was of sub-mm order. The CW indicator described offers the opportunity to correlate CW severity with mechanical wood properties in spruce.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:chemical-composition, classification, compression wood, core, drift, ftir, identification, light, microfibril angle, near-infrared spectroscopy, Norway Spruce, pine, radiata, rapid-determination, resolution, samples, sitka spruce, spectra, spruce, transmission
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Altaner, Dr Clemens and Tokareva, Mrs Elena and Jarvis, Dr Michael
Authors: Altaner, C.M., Tokareva, E.N., Wong, J.C.T., Hapca, A.I., McLean, J.P., and Jarvis, M.C.
Subjects:Q Science > QD Chemistry
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Wood Science and Technology
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0043-7719
ISSN (Online):1432-5225
Published Online:08 October 2008

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
435511Supramolecular structure and performance of wood celluloseMichael JarvisEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/E026583/1Chemistry