Mechanism of partial fixation of compressed wood based on a matrix non-softening method

Abstract

Three different mechanisms to explain the partial fixation of the compressive deformation of wood are postulated: non-softening, cross-linking and stress relaxation. This study attempted to fix the compressive deformation of wood by the non-softening mechanism of the cell-wall matrix using acetylation of the cell wall making it more hydrophobic. In this method, partial recovery of compressive deformation by wetting decreased at room temperature as the acetyl content increased. However, almost complete recovery occurred by boiling the compressed wood in water or soaking in acetone. This is due to the ability of boiling water or acetone to soften the cell-wall matrix of acetylated wood enough to enable recovery from compression. It is, therefore, possible to partially fix the compressive deformation of wood, preventing the resoftening of the cell-wall matrix in water.

Keywords:

• Acetylation
• compressive deformation
• moisture and thermal softening
• partial fixation
• stress release
• wood