Volume fractal and surface fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood using the mercury intrusion porosimetry test
Abstract
Fractal geometry describes the complex pore structure in natural and heat-treated wood and the relationship between pore structure and wood properties, such as strength, heat conductivity, and transport properties. However, the fractal types and the scale-dependent properties of natural and heat-treated wood remain unclear. In this study, comprehensive fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood was carried out based on mercury intrusion porosimetry data. Both the volume fractal and surface fractal of natural and heat-treated wood were determined. The results showed that the two fractal types had different scale-dependent fractal properties. Four regions were identified in the pore structures. A volume fractal region was identified for pores in the region of 2–90 μm, while a surface fractal region was identified for pores in the region of 90 nm–7 μm. The pore structure in the region of 2–90 μm that corresponded to the large pore (the lumina in the cell) range showed strong volume fractal properties, and the fractal dimensions were 2.645–2.884. The pore structure in the region of 90 nm–7 μm that corresponded to the small pore (voids on or in cell walls) range showed strong surface fractal properties, and the fractal dimensions were 2.323–2.999. The range of fractal regions was hardly affected by the heat treatment atmospheres. These results showed that fractal geometry can be used to characterize the pore structures of natural and heat-treated wood. These findings are expected to explain the differences in properties between natural and heat-treated wood in the future.
Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China
Award Identifier / Grant number: 31971742
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Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
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Research funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 31971742).
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Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Original Articles
- Flexural behavior of wood in the transverse direction investigated using novel computer vision and machine learning approach
- Elasto-plastic material model of oak at two moisture content levels
- Evaluating wettability of vessels in poplar by Micro-CT imaging
- Volume fractal and surface fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood using the mercury intrusion porosimetry test
- Effect of pressurized hot water extraction and esterification on the moisture properties and decay resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood
- Improvement on dimensional stability and mold resistance of wood modified by tannin acid and tung oil
- Effect of plasma treatment on the surface characteristics and adhesive penetration performance of heat-treated wood
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Original Articles
- Flexural behavior of wood in the transverse direction investigated using novel computer vision and machine learning approach
- Elasto-plastic material model of oak at two moisture content levels
- Evaluating wettability of vessels in poplar by Micro-CT imaging
- Volume fractal and surface fractal analysis of the pore structure of natural and heat-treated spruce wood using the mercury intrusion porosimetry test
- Effect of pressurized hot water extraction and esterification on the moisture properties and decay resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood
- Improvement on dimensional stability and mold resistance of wood modified by tannin acid and tung oil
- Effect of plasma treatment on the surface characteristics and adhesive penetration performance of heat-treated wood