Permeability of Parkia gigantocarpa as affected by wood anatomy

Abstract

This study evaluated Parkia gigantocarpa wood from the Amazon rainforest for its permeability to air and liquid in the longitudinal direction. The influence of anatomical characteristics on the permeability of wood was characterized. Three trees were collected in the State of Pará, Brazil. Samples were converted into specimens and subjected to permeability tests and anatomical characterization. Permeability was obtained in the laboratory, and the results were compared with the permeability data estimated by a longitudinal flow model for hardwoods. The air permeability of wood was 140.2 x 10-9 m3.[m.(N.m-2).s]-1 liquid permeability was 3.28 x 10-9 m3.[m.(N.m-2).s]-1. The fiber length and thickness of the cell wall had a direct and positive relationship with the permeability, whereas fiber width presented an inverse relationship with permeability. The vessel frequency and diameter did not influence the permeability of wood from the heartwood of P. gigantocarpa that presented high permeability and potential for easy wood drying and treatment.