Application of Nelson's Sorption Isotherm to Wood Composites and Overlays

Authors

  • Qinglin Wu

Keywords:

Adsorption, desorption, model, moisture, panel products

Abstract

Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) as a function of relative humidity (RH) was measured in oriented strandboard, particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, hardboard, high pressure laminates, and solid wood. The measurements were made in both adsorption and desorption at 25°C. The EMCRH data were fit to Nelson's sorption isotherm. It was found that Nelson's model can be used to describe the experimental data from different composite materials. The parameters that define the sorption isotherm varied with material type and sorption mode. Determination of the model parameters for various products allows the use of the model as a tool for predicting moisture change in wood-based products under varying environmental conditions.

References

Burch, D. M., W. C. Thomas, and A. H. Fanney. 1992. Water vapor permeability measurements of common building materials. Ashrae Trans. 98: 486-494.nHeebink, D. M., and H. H. Haskell. 1962. Effect of heat and humidity on the properties of high pressure laminates. Forest Prod. J. 12(11): 542-548.nNelson, R. M. 1983. A model for sorption of water vapor by cellulosic materials. Wood Fiber Sci. 15(1): 8-22.nStamm A. J., and W. K. Loughborough. 1935. Thermodynamics of the swelling of wood. J. Phys. Chem. 39: 121-132.nSuchsland, O. 1972. Linear hygroscopic expansion of selected commercial particleboards. Forest Prod. J. 22(11): 28-32.nWu, Q., and O. Suchsland. 1996. Prediction of moisture content and moisture gradient of an particleboard. Wood Fiber Sci. 28(2): 227-239.n

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Published

2007-06-25

Issue

Number 2 / April 1999

Section

Research Contributions

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