Erosion Rates of Wood During Natural Weathering. Part II. Earlywood and Latewood Erosion Rates

Authors

  • R. Sam Williams
  • Mark T. Knaebe
  • William C. Feist

Keywords:

Weathering, erosion, flat grain, vertical grain, wood properties

Abstract

This is the second in a series of reports on the erosion rates of wood exposed outdoors near Madison, Wisconsin. In the work reported here, the erosion rates of earlywood and latewood were determined for smooth-planed vertical-grained lumber for an exposure period of 14 years. The specimens were oriented vertically, facing south; erosion was measured annually for the first 6 years and biannually the remainder of the exposure. Wood species were ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, western hemlock, and red alder. Large differences were observed between earlywood and latewood erosion rates during weathering. Erosion rates varied from 33 μm/year for lodgepole pine latewood to 58 μm/year for western hemlock and red alder earlywood. In general, no practical differences in erosion were observed for different orientations of the specimens on the test fence (vertical or horizontal longitudinal axis). Some specimens showed considerable decay after 10 years of exposure.

References

Black, J. M., and E. A. Mraz. 1974. Inorganic surface treatments for weather-resistant natural finishes. Res. Pap. FPL 232, USDA, Forest Serv. Forest Prod. Lab. Madison, WI. 40 pp.nBrowne, F. L. 1960. Wood siding left to weather naturally. Southern Lumberman201(2513):141-143.nFeist, W. C. 1990. Outdoor wood weathering and protection. Ch. 11 in R. M. Rowell and J. R. Barbour, eds. Archaeological wood: Properties, chemistry, and preservation. Advances in Chemistry Series 225. Proceedings of 196th meeting, American Chemical Society; 1988 September 25-28, Los Angeles. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.nFeist, W. C., and E. A. Mraz. 1978. Comparison of outdoor and accelerated weathering of unprotected softwoods. Forest Prod. J.28(3):38-43.nFeist, W. C., and D. N.-S. Hon. 1984. Chemistry and weathering and protection. Ch. 11 in R. M. Rowell, ed. The chemistry of solid wood. Advances in Chemistry Series 207. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.n

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 1 / January 2001

Section

Research Contributions

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