Influence of water content on the mechanical and chemical properties of tropical wood species

This paper aims to study the mechanical behavior and surface chemistry in relationship with moisture content of Iroko (Milicia excelsa), Bilinga (Nauclea diderrichii), and Tali (Erythrophleum suaveolens). Mechanical characterization was done experimentally using tensile and bending tests. Chemical semi quantitative analysis of the wood at 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of moisture content was investigated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The main chemical functions involved by the presence of water were identified as well as the other functional groups. The ratio between lignin and carbohydrates was estimated for all the wood species. The results indicated a negative correlation in the relation between moisture content and mechanical properties. Tali had the higher bending strength while Iroko had the lowest value. The average percentage change rate of the Young’s moduli induced by 1% of moisture content changes, especially between 10% and 20%, varied with the wood species: 1.69% in Tali, 1.65% in Bilinga and 2.54% in Iroko approximately. The infrared spectra obtained differed among species. The results also showed that Iroko contained higher lignin and were the least sustainable according to mechanical properties. The bands at 3340 cm−1 and 1635 cm−1 were more impacted by moisture content. Keywords: Tropical wood, Chemical component, Strength, Moisture content, ATR-FTIR