Effects of Time and Temperature on the Viscoelastic Properties of Chinese Fir Wood

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The effects of time and temperature on dynamic viscoelastic properties of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook) were investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis in this study. The isothermal tests were applied to the small clear specimens with a moisture content of about 0.6% at constant temperatures ranging from 25 to 200°C for 550 min at atmospheric pressure. Changes in storage modulus and loss tangent with heating time were examined. The results indicated that heating time mainly resulted in thermal softening, thermal degradation of wood, and the reduction of wood stiffness. At more than 60°C, the reduction in storage modulus was accelerated generally as the wood was subjected to a higher temperature or longer heating time. At constant temperatures of 140 and 160°C, a relaxation phenomenon was observed with a slight change in weight, which could be attributed to the relocation of lignin molecules. At the temperature range of 140 to 180°C, the higher the heating temperatures, the earlier the tanδ peak appeared. It is suggested that the wood thermal softening occurs at higher temperatures with shorter heating times or at lower temperatures with longer heating times. At temperatures of 180 and 200°C, the loss of amorphous polysaccharides due to thermal degradation is considered to be the main factor affecting wood viscoelasticity.