Wood grain angles variations in Eucalyptus and their relationships to physical-mechanical properties

Abstract

The relationship between grain angle and wood properties has not been focus of researches in wood industry. The aim of this study was to establish grain angle variations in commercial Eucalyptus logs and their effects on physical-mechanical wood properties. Wood maximum angular deviation (MAD) was correlated with density, volumetric shrinkage, compressive strength parallel to grain, flexural strength and stiffness as determined by bending and acoustic methods in wood of seven Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla clones at 13 years old. The relationship between MAD at pith-bark and base-top positions and its effect on the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. Amplitude of MAD values was small for the seven clones, and the mean was 6.2°. The grain deviation decreased by only 8% in base-top direction, and the correlations among MAD and three logs heights were small and negative (r = −0.13). MAD values presented an increasing trend of 33% in pith-bark direction, with a small positive correlation (r = 0.42). Basic density (BD) presented a significant correlation with the MAD (r = 26). There was no significant correlation between the MAD and volumetric shrinkage, mechanical properties and modulus of elasticity dynamic (determined by stress wave timer, ultrasound or transverse vibration).