Transitional variation and relationships among properties within loblolly pine growth rings

Abstract

Loblolly pine microtome sections 100μm thick were tested wet in tension. This thickness was approximately double the outside diameter of tracheids. Results indicate a curvilinear relationship between tensile strength and specific gravity of microspecimens combining both earlywood and latewood zones. Contrary to expectations the rate of change in slope of curve, expressed as tangent angles, decreased as specific gravity increased. Both tensile strength and stiffness values of these microspecimens are low in relation to their specific gravity. This reduction in strength and stiffness is probably related to the low ratio of microspecimen thickness to tracheid diameter, but needs further investigation. If the proper ratio between microspecimen thickness and tracheid diameter is determined, the transitional variation in tensile strength and stiffness within growth ring may be accurately established. The transitional variation in specific gravity can be successfully established from microtome sections, however the method is time consuming and not completely free of errors.