Mechanical characterization of Pinus massoniana cell walls infected by blue-stain fungi using in situ nanoindentation

Abstract

Characterizing the mechanical properties of wood cell walls will lead to better understanding and optimization of modifications made to wood infected by the blue-stain fungi. In this study, in situ nanoindentation was used to characterize the mechanical properties of the cell walls of Pinus massoniana infected by blue-stain fungi at the cellular level. The results show that in situ nanoindentation is an effective method for this purpose and that blue-stain fungi penetrate wood structures and degrade wood cell walls, significantly reducing the mechanical properties of the cell walls. The method can also be used to evaluate and improve the properties of other wood species infected by blue-stain fungi.