Radial variations of wood different properties in Diospyros lotus

Majid Kiaei,Reza Bakhshi

doi:10.5424/fs/2014231-03297

Abstract

Aim of study: The aim of this study was to determine some of the physical, biometry and mechanical strength properties of Diospyros lotus L. wood along radial direction from the pith to the bark and the relationship between wood various properties. Area of study: The study area is located in north Iran in the province of Mazandarn. Material and methods: Testing samples were taken at breast height of tree stem and three radial position of stem radius to determine physical (basic density), fiber biometry (fiber length, fiber diameter, cell-wall thickness) and mechanical properties (modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity).Main results: The results of ANOVA indicated that there are significant differences along radial direction in above mentioned properties for persimmon wood. Basic density, fiber length, fiber diameter, cell-wall thickness, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture increased along radial direction from pith toward the bark. Research highlights: The persimmon wood isn’t suitable for pulp and paper production due to the unfavorable flexibility and Runkel coefficients.Keywords: Diospyros lotus; basic density; fiber features; modulus of rupture; modulus of elasticity.

Highlights

IntroductionDiospyros lotus is one of diffuse-porous hardwood species that formes about 8.5 percent of area of the Iran’s Northern Forests
The wood basic density, fiber length, fiber diameter, cell wall thickness, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture along radial direction increased from the pith to the bark
The juvenile wood is explained by short fiber length, low wood density and low mechanical strength properties than mature wood

Summary

Introduction

Diospyros lotus is one of diffuse-porous hardwood species that formes about 8.5 percent of area of the Iran’s Northern Forests. This species is from Ebenaceae family, which grows naturally from Astara (Guilan province) to Gorgan (Golestan province) in Iran (Parsapajouh, 1998). Modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) are important characteristics for the use of wood as a structural application. A study on the physical and chemical characteristics of the blackened portion of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) indicated that the specific gravity, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in the blackened heartwood is higher, and the loss tangent is lower, than those in sapwood (Noda et al, 2002)

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