Water absorption and desorption characteristics of wood.
Jain S. K., Kurhekar S. P.
Author Affiliation: Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri (M.S.), India.
International Journal of Agricultural Engineering 8 : 244-247
Abstract : The demand of wood products is continuously increasing in spite of rapid depletion of forests around the globe. Water absorption and desorption in wood are of practical importance since they also affect the mechanical properties of the product. The five wood varieties teak, beechwood, mango, jackfruit and ain were used for study that are popular for timber and furniture in Konkan. These five varieties showed initial high rate of moisture uptake and drying followed by comparatively slower rate. Drying rate was eight times higher than absorption process. Shear strength of all wood varities decreased with increase in moisture content.