FTIR examination of preservative retention in beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.)
A method of FTIR examination of preservative retention in beech wood structure was developed. Beech wood samples of different preservative content were prepared using low pressure preservation process in laboratory conditions. Then samples were homogenized in a laboratory mill and measurements were performed using FTIR spectrometer with attenuated total reflectance unit. Pure preservative was also measured and from its spectrum 1,555 cm−1 absorption band was chosen as the characteristic for preservative. 1,027 and 1,370 cm−1 were absorption bands characteristic for wood which were chosen as reference peaks. Values of two absorbance ratios, A1,555/A1,027 and A1,555/A1,370 were correlated with the preservative content in particular samples. Correlation coefficients were 0.8390 and 0.8313, respectively.
Local Variations in Carbohydrates and Matrix Lignin in Mechanically Graded Bamboo Culms
The mechanical performance of bamboo is highly dependent on its structural arrangement and the properties of biomacromolecules within the cell wall. The relationship between carbohydrates topochemistry and gradient micromechanics of multilayered fiber along the diametric direction was visualized by combined microscopic techniques. Along the radius of bamboo culms, the concentration of xylan within the fiber sheath increased, while that of cellulose and lignin decreased gradually. At cellular level, although the consecutive broad layer (Bl) of fiber revealed a relatively uniform cellulose orientation and concentration, the outer Bl with higher lignification level has higher elastic modulus (19.59–20.31 GPa) than that of the inner Bl close to the lumen area (17.07–19.99 GPa). Comparatively, the cell corner displayed the highest lignification level, while its hardness and modulus were lower than that of fiber Bl, indicating the cellulose skeleton is the prerequisite of cell wall mechanics. The obtained cytological information is helpful to understand the origin of the anisotropic mechanical properties of bamboo.

 Preservative treatment of Douglas-fir lumber by the passive impregnation method with copper azole

AbstractLaser incised dry (mc=18%) and green (mc=33%) Douglas-fir was treated by the passive impregnation
 method of wood preservation having two different incising densities (7500 and 10000 holes/m2)
 and dipping times (3 and 12 hours). A 0.68% active ingredient solution of Copper Azole
 Type B (Tanalith CY) preservative was used in this study. The preservative retention and penetrated
 area were measured. The total preservative retention varied from 1.61 to 2.68 kg/m3
 depending on the moisture content of wood and conditions of preservation, and in all cases it surpassed
 the minimum retention requirement for above ground use. The maximum penetrated area for dry lumber
 (mc=18%) was 96 and 88% across and along the grain, respectively. For green lumber (mc=33%), it was
 90 and 85% across and along the grain, respectively.
 ZusammenfassungLaser-perforiertes trockenes (u=18%) und frisches (u=33%) Douglasienholz wurde mittels Tauchimprägnierung
 nach vorheriger Dampfbehandlung mit zwei unterschiedlichen Lochdichten (7500 und 1000 Löcher/m2)
 und Eintauchzeiten (3 und 12 Stunden) behandelt. In dieser Studie wurde eine 0.68% Wirksubstanzlösung
 aus Kupferazol Typ B (Tanalith CY) verwendet. Die Holzschutzmittelaufnahme und der Eindringbereich wurden
 bestimmt. Die gesamte Holzschutzmittelaufnahme variierte zwischen 1.61 kg/m3
 und 2.68 kg/m3 je nach Holzfeuchte und Imprägnierbedingungen. In
 allen Fällen wurden die Mindestanforderungen für Anwendungen im Außenbereich ohne Erdkontakt
 übertroffen. Der Imprägnierungsgrad lag bei trockenem Schnittholz (u=18%) bei 96% und 88%
 bezogen auf die Hirnholz- und die Seitenflächen. Bei frischem Schnittholz (u=33%) lagen diese
 Werte bei 90 bzw. 85%
