Everyone knows what wood is and some people even order cooking wood and firewood, but have you ever wondered about its characteristics. This article will cover the different properties of wood: density, strength, shrinkage, chemical composition, and biodegradability. You will also learn about its properties and their relative importance. Read on to learn more about the benefits and disadvantages of wood. Here’s a short overview of these properties and their significance. You can use these properties to choose the best wood for your project.
Table of Contents
Density
Wood density is a measure of the volume of a block of wood. Wood is usually hollow, so the denser it is, its volume is greater. However, wood density can be manipulated, either genetically or through silvicultural manipulation.
Strength
The strength of wood is a key property of many wood products. The longer a piece of wood can resist a load, the greater its strength. There are different ways to measure this resistance, including the maximum stress and strain it can withstand. Bending strength is a common measure of strength, but it is not the only criterion.
Shrinkage
Wood can shrink due to moisture content changes, although at lower rates. The longitudinal dimension of wood tends to remain stable with little change. Wood fibers, on the other hand, are tightly bonded all around. This means that the tangential and radial shrinkage of wood are similar, with tangential shrinkage being larger than radial shrinkage. The two types of shrinkage are closely related, and their interactions are studied in Wijesinghe’s 1959 paper.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of wood varies depending on the species. For instance, in the forest of Ixtlan de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico, wood from five tree species has different chemical compositions than similar tree species in the same forest. Chemical composition was determined by analyzing total extractives, ash, lignin, holocellulose, and alpha-cellulose. These components were separated using Soxhlet equipment. Ash was analyzed with atomic absorption spectrometry.
Growth rate
Understanding the growth rate of trees is critical to understanding the global water and carbon cycle. It also determines the sustainability of wood production in forestry. Unfortunately, growth rates vary based on different variables, such as environmental conditions and sample biases.
Odor
The odor of wood comes from its volatile accessory compounds (VACCs). These oils are extracted from wood and used for various industrial purposes. Many hardwoods have strong odors, but these vary according to the species and their end uses. Common hardwoods with strong smells include cedar, bosse wood, sandalwood, and larch, which have aromatic properties. Other types of wood with noticeable odors include Florida and western red cedars.
Taste
There are many sources of wood, but few people know that it also plays a role in enhancing the flavor of foods. Wood, after all, contains forty percent cellulose and hemicelluloses and about nineteen percent lignin. While the latter two aren’t directly related to taste, they do contribute to the overall flavor and aroma of food. For this reason, maple wood is commonly used for delicate cooking. Its aroma and taste are similar to oak, which is another wood used to make maple syrup.
Appearance
The physical properties of wood are a vital part of its visual appeal. Among these properties is its density, weight, feel, and smell. These properties vary depending on the type of finish applied to the wood. A good grade A lumber will display a few visible defects but may still have a few small knots. Joint appearance lumber contains numerous defects but is still considered desirable for its character. Tiny knots are unlikely to fall out of the wood.
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